The fishermen want more access to haddock stocks

Negotiations with the European Commission are continuing.

The Scottish Executive is seeking quota changes to allow fishermen improved access to haddock stocks.

The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said it was "very hopeful" of a compromise. It met Mr Wilson for talks on Wednesday afternoon.

Gaining access

A UK delegation in talks with European Commission officials is pressing for the creation of a new zone where Scots vessels would be able to catch most of their haddock quota away from at-risk cod stocks.

Under the latest EU deal, brokered in Brussels last month, cod protection zones were established to help dwindling stocks to recover.

But fishermen complained that it stopped them gaining access to the haddock in those areas.

Mr Wilson said the UK proposals would improve the deal for fishermen and also preserve cod stocks.

The Commission favours a cod protection area and we prefer a haddock box - we're very pleased to hear that the executive is supporting that. Hamish Morrison Scottish Fishermen's Federation

He said: "We have been consistent with the industry in pursuing an alternative approach to cod conservation which focuses effort in a haddock area and prevents catching haddock in a cod protection zone.

"We have support for that approach from other member states and from outwith the EU.

"In general terms, it would involve the creation of a haddock box instead of a cod protection zone."

The European Commission is expected to respond to the UK proposals on Thursday.

Hamish Morrison, chief executive of the SFF, said: "The Commission favours a cod protection area and we prefer a haddock box - we're very pleased to hear that the executive is supporting that.

"But the bottom line is still 'can we turn the Commission', not 'can we turn our own ministers'."