Last time I was home, Look North did a feature on Amble harbour where skippers are now having to employ people from the Philippines because no local men will take the low wages. There was also skippers regularly catching way over their quota, and admitting to it on television, because "they have to make a living" Fishermen seem entirely unable to grasp the basic concept that if YOU TAKE ALL THE FISH YOU WON'T HAVE A LIVING.

Cod is extinct around Canada, and very nearly so in the North Sea - the stuff we eat is from around Iceland. Fish stocks in the North Sea suffered a complete and catastrophic collapse a few years ago. Yet on they go! It's tragedy of the commons stuff, the idea that if they don't take everything and make a profit, someone else will.

For a really good tale on human stupidity re: fishing, see what you can find out about the Orange Roughy.