A global conservation group has attacked the EU Fisheries Council over its decision to increase the North Sea cod quota by 11 per cent in 2008.

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says the new quota will seriously damage North Sea cod stocks.

The quota increase of around 22,000 tonnes is based on early signs of stock recovery.

But according to the WWF, ministers have failed to put in place compulsory measures that will enable young fish to remain in the sea and reproduce.

The group warned that "cod stocks are not out of trouble yet and the next 12 months will be crucial for determining the fate of this fragile, over-exploited species".

The WWF also slammed EU Fisheries ministers for giving the green light to voluntary measures by fishermen to address the wasteful situation of discards.

Helen McLachlan, WWF: "This is the fishing industry's big chance to show they can deliver on their claims of being able to fish more selectively and sustainably."

The council approved the concept of allowing fishermen to propose "tailor-made measures" that would best suit them.

These voluntary measures include the temporary closure of areas where cod are abundant or spawning, and the use of more selective fishing gear.

"This is the first time such a conservation credit-scheme has been approved by the Commission and demonstrates a willingness to prevent the wasteful practice of discarding whereby huge quantities of fish caught over the quota limit are thrown overboard," the WWF said in a statement.

"Recent EU figures show that fishermen are throwing between 40 and 60 per cent of their catch overboard."

Helen McLachlan, senior marine policy officer at WWF, added: "This is the fishing industry's big chance to show they can deliver on their claims of being able to fish more selectively and sustainably.

"If successful the 2008 measures will give the much needed break that cod needs and help the stock replenish.

"However, if the fishermen fail to implement cod avoidance plans, we will have wasted the only chance at recovery since 1997. The stakes are high - let's hope they can deliver."

The WWF also criticised the "minimal reduction" of quotas, ranging from 8 to 18 per cent, agreed for other cod populations, such as the Kattegat, Irish Sea, and West Scotland for which scientists had advised not to fish at all.

"The real failure was not to accompany any cuts with agreed measures to improve selectivity and avoid catching unwanted cod in the first place," the group said.

But the UK fishing industry welcomed the EU Fisheries Council's decision to increase North Sea cod quotas.

UK fisheries minister Jonathan Shaw described the deal as a "fair settlement".

The article Fish quota increases threaten Cod stocks originally appeared on 999 Today