A 'Team Scotland' approach will ensure the best possible outcome for Scotland's fishermen during autumn's negotiations, according to Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead.

He made these comments after giving evidence to the Rural Affairs and Environment Committee, which also heard today from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF).

Looking ahead to the next month's Fisheries Council meeting in Belgium, Lochhead suggested he was positive about achieving the best possible outcome at the end of year quota talks for 2009.

He acknowledged: "There is no question that we face some difficult negotiations and decisions in the weeks ahead. However, I remain absolutely determined to fight for the best possible outcome for the Scottish sector again this year. In the current economic climate these talks are more important than ever.

"Our priorities include resisting the Commission's unacceptable ideas for the West coast and ensuring our fishermen no longer need to throw thousands of tonnes of North Sea cod overboard.

"We are in a good position as we enter the talks. Here in Scotland we have shown, through our innovative Conservation Credits Scheme, that we can introduce measures which make a real difference for sustainability."

As for the role of 'Team Scotland', he suggested its "vital expertise can help ensure that we build on the approach that brought such important gains last year in order to find the right solutions to these challenges".

"The Scottish Government does not believe that membership of the Common Fisheries Policy serves Scotland's interests and we need to loosen the straightjacket of this discredited policy."

Lochhead has today welcomed a new report that shows the Scottish Government's Conservation Credits Scheme, which rewards conservation of cod stock with extra days at sea, has been taken up by 94 per cent of eligible vessels.