Brussels - The European Commission on Friday moved to stiffen controls and penalties on fishermen who exceed their country's fishing quotas amid depleting stocks.

According to a new regulation put forward by the European Union's executive, member states that fail to crack down on over-fishing could see a suspension or reduction of funds they receive from Brussels.

And guilty fishermen could face fines of up to 300,000 euros (375,000 dollars).

Inspections are to be reinforced and streamlined at all stages of the production chain through the use of satellite monitoring of vessels, electronic logbooks and electronic reporting of catches.

"The future of sustainable fisheries requires us to replace a system which is inefficient, expensive and complex with one which can really produce results," said Joe Borg, the EU's commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries.

With nearly 90 per cent of Europe's stocks overfished, the commission has been forced to stiffen quotas, particularly for cod, haddock and whiting found off the western coast of Scotland.

But a lack of controls, as well as short-sightedness on the part of many fishermen, have so far failed to stop overfishing, officials say.

While the responsibility for ensuring that quotas are respected rests with member states, the commission aims to strengthen the powers of its own inspectors, who will be allowed to carry out surprise raids.

Fishermen will also be subjected to a penalty points system, similar to that introduced in many countries to crack down on undisciplined car drivers.

The new rules, which must first be approved by the EU's 27 national governments, will also apply to non-EU fishermen operating in EU waters. (dpa)