The European Commission called on Tuesday for deep cuts in cod and anchovy fishing quotas in the Atlantic and North Sea in 2007 to protect ever-dwindling stocks.

The European Union's executive arm called for a 25-percent cut in cod catches and a moratorium on anchovy fishing in the first half of 2007 ahead of a meeting of EU fisheries ministers later this month to decide on quotas.

"There is still too much fishing pressure on several fish stocks," EU Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg told a news conference.

EU members have in recent weeks already agreed to catch limits for the Baltic and the Mediterranean and signed a fishing agreement with Norway, leaving quotas for the Atlantic and North Sea at the ministerial to be set at the December 19-21 ministerial meeting.

"We firmly believe that based on scientific advice we really need to take tough measures on cod," the Maltese commissioner said.

"Plaice and sole in the North Sea are fished at unsustainable levels, and short-lived species such as anchovies in the Bay of Biscaye and sprat and sandeel in the North seas continue to give cause for concern," he said.

The commission also recommended cuts for catches of herring, some types of hake, Norway lobster and sprat.