A COMPROMISE deal to shake up Europe's controversial fisheries policy was hailed today as bringing real benefits for British fishermen - if it wins approval from MEPs.
Marathon talks which started on Monday between EU fisheries ministers ended at dawn today with agreement on plans to correct decades of failed attempts to restore dwindling fish stocks.
But the proposals do not include the proposed blanket ban on ''discards'' - the dumping of some fish back in the sea, dead, to avoid breaching restrictions on the size of landed catches.
Instead the deal bans from 2015 only the dumping of pelagic fish - those living near the surface.
UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon said it had been a difficult negotiation and ''not as ambitious as I would have liked'', but he urged the European Parliament to approve it.
''The next step is for the European Parliament to agree these reforms which are set to bring about real benefits for our fishermen and the marine environment for years to come.
''We have worked hard on these negotiations, and I hope that Parliament supports our agreement and brings negotiations to a swift conclusion.
''The wait is nearly over.''
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