London says it has pursued a "reasonable approach", issuing nearly 1,700 licences to EU boats to fish in Britain's exclusive economic zone, which is defined as being 12-200 miles from the coast. A total of 117 have been issued for the 6-12 mile zone. "As regards the 6-12 mile zone..., EU vessels must provide evidence of a track record of fishing activity in those waters," the British government said in a statement Tuesday.