The North Sea is almost fished out

The decline in white fish - notably cod - is particularly bad in the North Sea, where the decline in fish stocks has been dramatic.

Fisherman say there are a number of causes:

• Climate changes which mean cod no longer need to leave the waters around Iceland to spawn

• A big increase in the number of seals, which can eat their own weight in fish in a day

• Growing activity by companies looking for oil and gravel, which can disperse fish or alter their behaviour.

Fishermen on the Yorkshire coast have been calling for a seal cull. They say the numbers are growing by about 6% a year, and they want the government to take action.

However, conservationists argue that seals are not to blame, and that culling them would damage the eco-system in the area.

"No fish, no pay"

Trawler owner Fred Normandale, who operates out of Scarborough, says he has never known things so bad. Crews are paid with a share of the profits, but because catches are so low, fishermen find they can earn more in jobs onshore.

Fishermen can earn more wokring onshore

As a result, boats are stuck in harbour waiting until they can get a full complement of workers.

"If a vessel goes to sea, whatever it catches after expenses, the balance is shared between boat and crew. When there is no fish there is no pay," he told the BBC.

Quota problems

This comes on top of the problems faced by UK fishermen because of a cut by the European Union in the quota of fish they are allowed to catch. As a result, fisherman say they are working harder than ever just to stand still.

People are eating less fish

"We can't afford to tie our boats up. In fact our lads are working harder just trying to catch up. It's a no win situation," says Mr Normandale.

But some conservationists say politicians have contributed to the current fish shortage, by allowing overfishing. Subsidies and cash handouts have helped increase the world�s industrial fishing fleet by more than one fifth in the past decade.

In recent years, efforts have been made by all players in the fishing industry to work together. The Yorkshire Coast Fishing Forum encompasses Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington. It is trying to promote the industry through events such as a seafood and fishing festival to be held in Scarborough in September.

But former forum chairman James McCarthy admits that there is little the organisation can do about the present crisis.

Some are now concerned it could have a long-term impact in the region, even having a knock-on effect on associated businesses.