A driving licence-style points system could be implemented in the fishing industry to suspend or ban fisherman from sea for consistent rule-breaking.

Fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead said he supports the principle of new sanctions drawn up by the European Commission, but further detailed discussions with the industry is needed.

Under the system skippers would be given penalty points for fishing offences from 2011 and could be banned from the sea for between six months and a year aftter four infringements.

The scheme is aimed at reducing over fishing for cod, haddock and hake in specific EU waters. It is part of a wide ranging package of conservation measures including CCTV monitoring on vessels.

The announcement comes at a difficult time for the Scottish fleet which is again facing crisis because of quota cuts being proposed by Europe.