The industry is facing more cuts

The researchers said a ban was needed to take the pressure off fish stocks and allow them to recover.

The new UK Fisheries Minister, Ben Bradshaw, who is meeting industry leaders in Peterhead, said the report from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (Ices) painted a "bleak picture".

The report said that despite previous conservation measures, cod stocks remained at "very low levels".

The Cod Crusaders have got to get real about the science Ben Bradshaw UK Fisheries Minister

It has advised EU ministers to endorse zero catches of cod in the North Sea, off western Scotland and in the Irish Sea until they return to an acceptable level.

David Griffith, general secretary of Ices, said: "Along with many other stocks, cod in the North Sea, Irish Sea and west of Scotland have been declining for a number of years, despite our repeated warnings.

"These cod stocks are at such low levels that we have had to resort to recommending zero catches as a final line in the sand to give them some respite.

"If they are given the chance to return to their former productive states now, we hope that in the future they will be able to support valuable fisheries again."

The scientists have also advocated restrictions on other stocks, including a zero catch on whiting in the Irish Sea and southern stocks of hake.

Mr Bradshaw said: "The situation does look very bleak.

Other stocks will also be affected

"We don't want to take such drastic a measure that we don't have an industry left which could benefit from any cod recovery.

"There are very successful fisheries in some areas, haddock and shellfish. So, we don't want to take measures which put those people out of a job.

"However, we know that if there is no cod left to catch then, as we saw in Canada, that is effectively the end of the fish industry."

The minister had a stark message for those campaigners who have challenged the scientists.

He said: "The Cod Crusaders have got to get real about the science.

"It's simply not good enough to say the scientists are wrong, we know better, there are plenty of cod. That is not a tenable position."

Dr Ian Duncan, of the Scottish Fisherman's Federation, said the planned cuts would prove a crucial test for the fisheries minister.

'Balanced deal'

He said: "We will find out if Mr Bradshaw means it is bleak and nothing can be done or it is bleak and we must fight like fury to ensure that we get a better deal.

"The reading from the scientists is bleak - for cod, there is no doubt.

"However, the test for the minister will be whether this makes him fight all the harder to ensure a balanced deal for fishermen who catch haddock, whiting, prawns and mackerel and other fish which are in a very good state."

Richard Lochhead fears a complete ban

Scottish National Party fisheries spokesman, Richard Lochhead, said: "This advice was predictable and only repeats what was said last year.

"However, it remains the case that a complete cod ban would be catastrophic for the Scots fishing industry and turn many of our fishing communities into ghost towns."

Mr Lochhead said boats should be allowed to go to sea to catch "abundant" species such as haddock.

This is the second successive year in which the scientists have advocated a total ban on cod fishing.

Alex Smith, president of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said he was confident the industry could continue to catch other species and still protect cod.

We've lost half our whitefish fleet this year and we have just got to win this battle Alex Smith Scottish Fishermen's Federation

Mr Smith said it was vital they can convince the scientists and the decision makers.

"The importance of winning it is clear to see, we've lost half our whitefish fleet this year and we have just got to win this battle.

"We've got to have a framework where our men can go to sea with some confidence for the future."

Last year, EU ministers decided not to go for an outright ban, instead agreeing to a 45% cut, a halving of haddock catches and a two-thirds reduction in whiting catches.

The cuts led to the decommissioning of almost a third of the Scottish fleet.

Green MSP Mark Ballard said: "The folly of ignoring scientific opinion on the state of fish stocks is becoming all too clear.

"Last year the advice from scientists was watered down and we find ourselves in the same position once again.