Fisheries Ministers from across Europe have agreed tougher controls on fishing in EU waters in an effort to prevent dwindling stocks. The increased crackdown is necessary because previous efforts to protect stocks have failed to halt illegal activity. The new deal agreed in Luxembourg this morning will lead to closer monitoring of licensed fishing boats and stiff penalties for breaching catch quotas. Casual fishermen will also have to report catches of fish that are subject to the EU stock recovery programme, such as cod in the North Sea.