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Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead is seeking urgent clarification from the European Commission over confusing figures published yesterday that indicate Scottish vessels will need to further reduce fishing effort.
Mr Lochhead said: "The Scottish Government is aware of this decision by the European Commission and along with the UK Government has sought urgent clarification from them on the confusing figures they have published.
"It would be absolute madness to provide our fleet with more quota next year for some of our key stocks but then stop our fishermen leaving port to catch them.
"Cod only makes up around 5 per cent in value of Scotland's catch. The other 95 per cent is made up of other types of fish. So it cannot be right to be reducing the days at sea available to catch that other 95 per cent.
"This is an issue that will affect Scottish, English and Northern Irish vessels. We, and the rest of the UK, have reported the way we are operating this rule to them on an annual basis for the past three years, and have been managing the recovery of cod stocks responsibly over the past three years. Indeed, Scotland is being praised internationally for our cod avoidance measures which are making a real difference.
"Unfortunately, as is often the case, decisions are made in Brussels without due consideration of their impact on individual nations. That is why the flawed Common Fisheries Policy has been discredited by everyone including, ironically, the European Commission itself.
"I am in regular discussions with my UK counterpart Richard Benyon and we will be seeking an urgent meeting with Commissioner Damanaki to sort this latest mess."
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