A major meeting has taken place in Aberdeen calling for more to be done to protect Scotland's beleaguered fishing industry.

The Fisheries Secretary has been invited to the gathering to hear first-hand the pressures facing skippers, ahead of crucial European quota talks.
 
Many claim that catch restrictions and low prices have made this one of the toughest years in decades for the sector.

Many are particularly concerned about the withdrawal of bulk-buying companies looking away from North Sea fish.

Mike Park of the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association said: "There's not enough fish in the system to allow the men to make money. And I think we're going to ask him (Mr Lochhead) to give us an idea about how we can resolve it for next year and indeed there's another issue about how we increase the value of the product we're landing, so it's not just one solution for the problem - I think there's many."

Mr Lochhead said: "I certainly believe we need some fundamental changes to fisheries management and I'm trying to get some changes to the Common Fisheries Policy to achieve just that. 

“For instance, we have to allow fisherman to land more of what they catch, not discard it back over the side dead into the sea, which is a complete waste."

Fishing leaders have been warning that some sectors of the industry will be destroyed if proposed European cuts are implemented.

As the annual round of international negotiations get set to begin, skippers fear their number of days at sea could be cut by up to 25%.

The Minister will also meet with renowned fishing campaigners The Cod Crusaders in Inverurie.

The activists will discuss issues affecting the Fishing Industry and the communities that rely on it.

The group have emailed more than 300 skippers and fishermen ahead of the meeting in a bid to gain feedback on their concerns.

They have also contacted US Tycoon Donald Trump, who is planning a £1billion golf resort in the north-east. The group have written to Mr Trump detailing the issues affecting north-east fishing communities.