The European Commission is reported to have abandoned plans to close off fishing areas in 2005 for severely depleted species such as cod.
It follows bitter opposition to the plans from several EU governments including Ireland, Britain and France. They argued that the plans would cripple fishing fleets already struggling to cope with years of EU cuts.
EU fisheries ministers are holding talks in Brussels on fish stocks, which are falling to critical levels.
The ministers are due to hold two days of debate on proposals unveiled by the European Commission two weeks ago.
Its executive had wanted to ban or drastically reduce cod fishing in several areas, mainly in the North Sea.
Officials have pointed to scientific studies that warn that stocks of several types of fish are at historic lows.
