them for failing to return details of their work.

Environment Minister Harry Soares said the writs had been withdrawn against commercial fishermen who had failed to return weekly catch reports -- some up to a year late.

The men now have until the end of July to get their affairs in order, he said.

The move came after several fishermen contacted the Minister to explain why they had not been able to make the returns and to suggest that they enter all their statistics by the end of the month.

The information, a condition of their licences, is vital for Government planning on catch restrictions and fishing areas.

The international fishing community relies on catch information on certain species to support data used across the world for conservation and other purposes.

"I listened to the fishermen and their solution sounded a good one to me,'' he said.