A group of Scottish fishermen's wives have travelled to Westminster to seek support for their campaign to avert massive cuts in cod quotas.

The women from Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire handed over a 6,000 signature petition in London.

They are hoping to alert Prime Minister Tony Blair to the plight of the country's fishermen.

Alex Salmond is to raise the issue

European Union scientists want a total ban on cod fishing in the North Sea in an effort to conserve dwindling stocks.

They have also called for a moratorium on catching other species, such as haddock and whiting, where cod is often caught by mistake.

Those recommendations have been endorsed by a committee advising the European Commission.

Fishermen's leaders have warned that a ban could put most of Scotland's fishing fleet out of business, with the loss of between 10,000 and 15,000 jobs.

European Fisheries Commissioner Franz Fischler said this week that he wanted to explore options other than the closure of the fishing grounds.

Coastal communities

However, he warned that there would still be hardship for the Scottish fleet.

The fishermen's wives say they are worried about what might happen to coastal communities like Fraserburgh if a near-ban on cod catches is introduced.

They handed their petition over to Banff and Buchan MP Alex Salmond at Westminster on Thursday.