MORE affordable haddock will return to fish counters and chip shops next year as stocks show signs of bouncing back.

But cod will continue to be protected as the species struggles to recover from overfishing.

New quotas will allow a 200% increase in landing west coast haddock, a particularly tasty whitefish. Numbers have fluctuated in recent years.

It comes as conservation body WWF analysed Government quotas on managing threatened fish stocks.

Monkfish are to be limited, with a 5% cut in the quota. The one-time delicacy that is already expensive could see a further price hike at the counter.

This comes as nearly 10,000 tonnes of monkfish were landed by the Scottish fleet in Scotland last year.

Andrew Crook, of the National Fish Friers Federation, welcomed the increase in the haddock quota.

He said: "It is good news that people can source more haddock stock.

"There is more sustainable fishing and this has got to be positive for the industry.

"The fishermen want their sons and grandsons to continue their tradition.

"If you go to places like Peterhead you can source a variety of fish."

"So things are looking good."

Calum Richardson, of the Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, said: "Haddock is a far superior species to cod for frying.

"It's a far sweeter and meatier piece of fish."

There are still restrictions on fishing days at sea for fishermen.

There will be an increase of 14% in the North Sea quota as recommended by scientists and a huge swing to the west of Scotland where scientists said that a 410% increase was possible. However, the quota will be set at the rise of 200%.

WWF said it continues to encourage measures to avoid cod catches along with haddock.

Cod recovery is going in the right direction but more slowly than expected.

The North Sea cod quota will be cut by 1% while there is no cod quota on the west coast given its depleted state.

WWF said a greater effort is required to avoid catching cod by using more selective equipment.

With relative newcomer monkfish, WWF said that it planned to work with industry and scientists to increase its stocks.

Hake went down in both value and landings in 2010. Scientific advice was for a 6% cut but there will be a rollover of the current quotas for 2012.

Hake has made a recent return at a fishery in the North Sea as the stock is moving north.

Dr Mireille Thom, WWF Scotland Senior Marine Policy Officer, said the industry was significant, adding: "In the past year, fish landings by Scottish vessels amounted to £438 million, confirming the continued economic and social importance of the fishing industry in Scotland.

"While some fishing quotas are set to increase, 2011 was a bit of a mixed year for fish stocks and the fishing industry in Scotland.

"While we are disappointed industry efforts to protect cod stocks are taking longer than hoped for, we are nevertheless pleased to see continued progress made towards more sustainable fishing practices in Scotland.

"It's crucial that industry, scientists, government and other stakeholders continue to work together to protect and grow all of Scotland's fish stocks."