Scottish fishing interests are at the heart of crunch talks which get under way today between a Brexit-bound UK and the rest of the European Union.
Fisheries ministers from around the economic bloc are meeting in Brussels to thrash out a deal on quotas for next year.
It is the first December Fisheries Council since the EU referendum vote, and it could provide some valuable insight into relations between the UK and its EU partners.
And it is also the first to be attended by MSP Fergus Ewing, who took over as Scotland’s fisheries minister from council veteran Richard Lochhead earlier this year.
Britain’s negotiating team will be led by UK Fishing Minister George Eustice.
He was a strong campaigner for Brexit before June’s shock vote result, and Scottish fishing chiefs are now looking to him to deliver a much vaunted “sea of opportunity” they say awaits the fleet after the UK finally quits the EU.
Mr Ewing has pledged to “champion” the industry north of the border despite SNP opposition to Brexit, which was heavily backed by the sector he aims to protect.
In an exclusive article for this newspaper today, Mr Ewing said: “If the UK Government does not take our concerns into account, the results could be financially catastrophic for fishing businesses and coastal communities.
“I will be taking any steps to stop this from happening.”
Mr Eustice said: “We have a world-class fishing industry and … I will work hard to secure the best possible deal for fishermen across the UK.
“I have listened to the views of all parts of the fishing fleet to ensure I’m best placed to represent all interests.
“Once again, I will press for allocations that strike the balance between sustainable fish stocks and a profitable fishing industry.”
Quotas for many of the key Scottish stocks were agreed at talks held recently between the EU and both Norway and Faroe, and these deals will be rubber-stamped this week.
There are a few other economically valuable species still waiting for a decision, such as prawns and west coast haddock and herring.
Skippers will also be keeping a close watch on Brussels to see what quota “top-ups” are in store to help them meet the challenge of a ban on discards after it is extended to whiting and cod from the start of 2017.
There are persistent fears in the industry that mixed white-fish operations could ground to a halt if “choke” species, for which there is no quota left, fill up the nets and force boats back into harbour.
