Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael has paid tribute to the bravery of the nation’s fishermen as he met representatives from the industry in Orkney.
The northern isles MP also met members of the Stromness lifeboat crew who answered a Mayday call from Spanish trawlermen who got into difficulties off the west coast of the island this week.
The visits follow the so-called “weather bomb” which caused havoc across the country.
They also came ahead of a meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council on Monday, where ministers from member states will agree catch limits for the main EU fish stocks for 2015.
Mr Carmichael said: “No one who represents island communities like Orkney and Shetland, as I do, needs reminding of the bravery of the fishermen who go to sea and regularly put themselves in harm’s way in order to bring food to our tables.
“This week’s weather is a timely illustration of the risks they run. I pay tribute to them and also to the Stromness lifeboat crew who rescued a Spanish trawler when it got into difficulties on Wednesday.”
The Liberal Democrat added: “Next week, the UK Government will be fighting hard at the EU council to make sure all of this country’s fishermen get a fair deal in 2015.
“We all believe conservation is important, but it is also vital an agreement which recognises the needs of the industry is reached, with realistic quotas set.
“It needs to build on a good deal agreed between the EU and Norway, which will see increases in cod, haddock and plaice quotas for British fishermen in the North Sea.”