The UK government has won "fish quota clawbacks" following a marathon 26-hour meeting of EU ministers.

British fisheries minister Elliot Morley welcomed the decision. "The talks were lengthy and difficult, but I welcome the result," he said.

"We supported the commission where the science was clear but I am pleased that the commission has agreed to move where there was no justification for cuts. It was our scientific data that persuaded the commission to up some of the numbers at this council. Expert scientific advice is the yardstick we must measure future deals against."

British negotiators are taking the credit for convincing the European Commission to back down on proposals to severely cut Total Allowable Catches, "forging an overall agreement more consistent with independent experts' scientific advice".

New 2002 fishing quotas will see reductions ranging from 25 per cent to 58 per cent in tough measures aimed at the long-term conservation of depleted fish stocks.

The European Commission has urged EU member states to accept the cuts or see supplies of main fish species, particularly cod and hake, go to extinction. "The situation is alarming. We have our backs to the wall," warned the commission.

UK fishermen can draw some relief from a deal that is not as bad as some had predicted. "Reason has triumphed. We are still of the view that it is better to go through this difficult period and see fishing stocks restored in the future rather than taking risks," said fisheries commissioner Franz Fischler.

Holding out a "glimmer of hope" for the fishing industry, Fischler promised that stock conservation would bring its own reward.

"We have lighted a small light for them. We want to send the message that if they accept these measures to enable stocks to recover, that effort will be rewarded in future," he said.