Cape Cod in Massachusetts might have been named for the local abundance of cod, but now the stock of fish has been so depleted that the fishermen have asked the US government for a bailout.
A combination of overfishing and a seal population keen on eating cod themselves have depleted the stock, driving many fishermen out of business and the industry into a spiral of decline.
Others fear that warmer water temperatures have contributed.
Fishermen are asking for a share of the $75 million (£45 million) allocated after the federal government declared an emergency in the fishing industry.
Cape Cod was given its name by the English explorer Bartholemew Gosnold in 1602 because so many cod were easily found there.
Cod has always played a vital role in the local economy, although it has gradually declined since its 1840s peak. Then around 1,300 vessels fished the Atlantic for the cod, falling to about 60 boats a decade ago.
Last year the quotas were reduced by 70%.
Local restaurants are importing cod from Iceland in order to serve fish and chips. People are increasingly wondering if they will make the change to dogfish which have taken over as the dominant species.
