THE war over getting the largest share of the depleting fish stocks seems to have crawled to a settlement, with the European Union (EV) ministers agreeing on measures to control fishing in the western waters of the British Isles. Portugal and Spain have been allowed to gain greater access to Tranquility returns to the fishing front fish in these waters from January, The new rules aim to preserve stocks -and settle the disagreements following the proposal of giving Spanish and Portuguese fishermen better access five years before time. British fishermen had protested against the admittance of Iberian ships into the Irish Box - the coastal sea around Ireland. Spain, on the other hand, had demanded fishing rights in the Bristol Channel and Irish Sea. Now, 40 Iberian trawlers will be permitted in the Irish Box. The number of boats fishing between northern Scotland and north western Spain is likely to rise too.

To stop the burgeoning growth in fishing, the It, has limited the day of action in the sea. Vessels operating in foreign waters will have to furnish a detailed report before sailing and also inform the ports on radio while at sea.