Scots fishing representatives say the future of the whitefish fleet "grim" is, after an EU agreement introduced reductions in the amount of cod can catch it.
Odds on the cod-a mainstay of the fleet - are to fall by 20%, while it is a 5% reduction in the total allowable catch (TAC) for haddock.
The agreement came at the end of discussions between the EU and Norway on the total catches of seven common stocks, including the North Sea allows to decide cod, haddock, whiting and herring.
Bertie Armstrong, Chief Executive of Scottish of fishermen's Federation, said that although the agreement there were "Elements of the good news", "overall, the situation is very bleak with further reductions to a Scottish whitefish fleet seriously financially pressed is imposed."
He added: "the Scottish and British Governments need to do to reduce everything in their power, to the extent of these cuts on the final EU fish Council meeting coming up soon and give a real chance to survive our industry."
Mr. Armstrong said it was good news, that just after the new year access for Scottish vessels in the Norwegian sector would be not possible at the beginning of 2010.
Are the fish you catch discard provision in the agreement for extra cod fishermen to land the new quota if you participate in a study catch quota system equal to 12% where boats avoid it.
Mr. Armstrong said: "the catch quota system has, without doubt, potential." However, it spun been like an immediate response on discards. At this point it is not.
"It is absolutely clear from those who participated in the trials on the date, in which unless there are changes in TACs and quotas rules, then it simply not in either reduce discards work or improving the commercial position of the whitefish fleet."
However, fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead the agreement said was "positive".
The study catch quota schema change, he said: "This will it us, the number of boats, more than double the participation in the scheme to around 40."
"We are disappointed, as usual, not every ship that wants to participate and that Norway unsupported extension this innovative system in other ways, particularly as Norway claim a discard-free fishing of one of its key objectives is."
"Scotland will stop continue the effectiveness of fishing quotas to promote the shame of discards."
Whiting North Sea fish quotas increase 15%, while herring also, 21% increase. Is it a decline in saithe to 13%.
Mr Lochhead said the Government remained hopeful that a three way deal for mackerel between the EU, Norway and the Faroe Islands could be introduced next week.
The line of mackerel has been a dominant theme in Scotland's fishing industry.
It started in August, when Iceland and the Faroe Islands their catch of fish in the North Atlantic, where most of the available stock increases.
The announcement comes concern in relation to the EU on overfishing in UK waters.
Last month, EU fisheries Commissioner Maria Damanaki spoke of fishing quota cuts of up to 50% "to rebuild fish stocks to levels that a healthy and profitable EU fishing industry maintain".
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