Hard-pressed British fishermen let off the hook by Brussels to catch more North Sea cod

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For the first time, they will also be able to increase their time at sea - and their earnings - by taking part in conservation schemes.

These are aimed at reducing catches of the wrong type of fish, which have to be thrown back dead.

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Relief: Fishermen have been granted the right to catch more North Sea cod for the first time in 10 years

Juvenile cod will be a particular focus of the protection measures.

But boats operating off the West of Scotland and in the Irish Sea will be hit by cod fishing cuts of up to 25 per cent.

North Sea quotas for plaice and sole will also be reduced.

Under the deal, after all-night talks, the 27 EU fishing ministers agreed to raise the cod quota by 11 per cent.

The move follows signs that stocks devastated by over-fishing are starting to recover.

However, British fisherman will have less time to catch the fish, with the number of permitted days at sea cut by 10 per cent.

Fisherman can "win back" some of these lost days by joining the conservation schemes.

UK fisheries minister Jonathan Shaw said the agreement was "fair" for the UK.

But it was condemned by Greenpeace as "breathtaking stupidity" that goes against the advice of scientists.

They say stocks are perilously close to extinction and that the proposed voluntary conservation schemes will do little to help them recover.

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