The people of Britain have come together to express their concern, and hunger, for the popular fish cod.

Having long been a favourite on dinner tables, cod numbers are at an all time low, and show little or no signs of recovering. And people have shown no hesitation in recommending that others cut their consumption in order that our children may enjoy fish suppers much as we do today.

The late Harry Ramsden, founder of the ‘Harry Ramsden’ chain of fish and chip restaurants, said yesterday: ‘It is a sad, sad state of affairs when there are not enough cod in the sea for us to eat. My restaurants alone use several tonnes of cod per week. Something must be done to build up their numbers.’

Fishermen are among the worst hit by the shortage. Industry representatives visited Whitehall on Friday to demand that the government do something about the problem.

‘I have spoken to Nick Brown [Secretary of State for Agriculture, Fish and Food] at length,’ said Ian Erhart, ‘and he was less than helpful. The very real problem faced by our fishermen is that, to maintain the supply, we must catch at least 31,000 tonnes of cod per week. According to current estimates, this will become impossible within two years. It is the responsibility of MAFF to ensure that this does not happen.’

Erhart insisted that the fishermen would do everything in their power to help with the problem, within the limitations imposed by the time it takes to catch so many fish.

The public are also worried at the prospect that their number one takeaway is under threat. We spoke to customers at the Atlantic Fish Bar in Folkestone.

‘It seems obvious to me that people are being irresponsible with their cod-eating,’ said local market stall-holder Lorna Hope through a mouthful of succulent white fish in batter. ‘They should think of the future, instead of just their own stomachs.’

‘Mmm, I love cod, me,’ she added.

‘It’s not too much to ask,’ agreed an harassed father with five children in tow. ‘We have fish and chips once a week, maximum, except the last week of the month, when we have it twice. If I thought it would make any difference, we’d cut down. But what can we do?’

Cod representatives have issued their own statement, denying that they are dying out on purpose, out of spite.

‘We are doing our best to maintain our population,’ it reads, ‘but it is not easy. We hope you will bear with us during this difficult time, and we hope to resume normal service as soon as possible.’