A new fish quota deal was agreed by Europe in December

The Westminster leader of the Scottish National Party said the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) was a "charade".

By ascribing to the legislation, the government had created a situation where fishermen were "denied the opportunity" to catch fish.

Mr Salmond made the statement during a House of Commons debate on Tuesday.

He is the architect behind the Fisheries Jurisdiction Bill which he said had cross-party support from members seeking "fair treatment" for one of the country's "great natural resource industries".

Under the plan, the UK would withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy and instead power over the industry would be given to each of the devolved administrations.

It would mean control for Scotland would pass from Westminster to Holyrood.

Mr Salmond, MP for Banff and Buchan, warned: "The sea is teeming with fish but it may soon by empty of our fishermen.

"Little wonder that so many fishermen regard this policy as a charade, a device to rob them of their birthright."

'CFP an albatross'

"It is not just that the Commons Fisheries Policy doesn't work. It is that it can't work."

Mr Salmond contrasted the CFP with other areas of European legislation.

He said: "The prime minister says that we can't opt out of the CFP and remain within the European Union but the same prime minister continues to opt out of the single currency.

"The single currency is central to the European ideal. The Common Fisheries Policy is an albatross around the neck of the European cause."

Ministers were guilty of underestimating the importance of fishing to the UK.

The government's strategy unit had said fishing was small in economic terms.

Alex Salmond says there is a great deal of support for his Bill

Mr Salmond: "Well we are not small at all in Scotland. We are not small around the coastline of many areas of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"But above all we are not small in the hearts of the people who want there to be a fishing industry and who want this House to live up to its responsibilities to make sure that we continue to have one."

Mr Salmond's bill received an unopposed first reading but is unlikely to become law due to lack of parliamentary time.

Michael Howard has made a commitment that Scottish fishermen will not be subject to the CFP under a Conservative Government Peter Duncan Scottish Tory MP

Scottish Tory MP Peter Duncan said: "Whilst I share his desire for an end to the Common Fisheries Policy, Mr Salmond saw this as an opportunity to score a political point with his band of followers by engaging in anti-Unionist rhetoric.

"However this is a serious business and we will not be so reckless with the livelihoods of our fishermen.

"Michael Howard has made a commitment that Scottish fishermen will not be subject to the CFP under a Conservative Government. It cannot be made any clearer."

A deal on fishing quotas designed to reverse the decline of several species was agreed by the European Union in December.

It contained strict measures aimed at reversing the fall in cod numbers and it cut the amount of hake which can be caught.

However, it was agreed that the North Sea fishing fleet could catch 30% more prawns and 53% more haddock.