The fishermen want more access to haddock stocks

The Scottish White Fish Producers' Association (SWFPA) hopes the move will help show how it can target haddock without damaging cod stocks.

Conservationists will travel at random on vessels over the next two months.

Some skippers had threatened to break the law by fishing for more than the 15 days allowed each month.

Instead, they hope that by allowing conservationists and government marine scientists on their vessels they can demonstrate that they can target haddock and catch minimal amounts of cod.

Boats banned

They believe that if they can show that a distinction is possible between haddock and cod catches, restrictions from Europe might be relaxed.

A spokeswoman for the environmental body WWF Scotland voiced support for the proposal.

We hope that the commission will see sense so come mid-year the furnish us with more days Mike Park SWFPA chairman

But she said it would require observers on every boat and WWF was not in a position to fund such a scheme or provide observers.

The SWFPA had threatened that skippers would work 24 instead of the allowed 15 days a month.

But they have now said they will "probably" fish within the rules for the next few months while seeking a better deal.

SWFPA chairman Mike Park said: "WWF's come in at our back and said this is a good strategy and the executive will hope that this helps as well.

"Our stance just now is that if men have got to break the law to stay viable then they have to do so.

Observers will monitor fishing vessel operations

"What we're hoping is that that whole argument won't come into play again until mid-year.

"So we hope that the commission will see sense so come mid-year they furnish us with more days."

Fishermen are also angry British boats are banned from some of the best haddock fishing grounds to protect cod.

The new rules were agreed by EU fisheries ministers in December and recognise that North Sea haddock stocks are at their healthiest for 30 years.

'Endangered stocks'

But skippers argue that they have not been allowed more time at sea to take advantage of the increased quota.

WWF Scotland's Helen McLachlan said: "We are listening to the fishermen, who claim they are able to target haddock without jeopardising endangered cod stocks.

"If there is a more sustainable option to the one currently in place then it must be investigated.

"Observers on boats are crucial in proving the fishermen's case."

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "The fishing research service already operates an extensive observation programme and we would be sympathetic to SWFPA requests for assistance."

But the Scottish National Party (SNP) called on the executive to fund the latest initiative by the fishermen.