Cod are in trouble, but some fish are thriving

Experts working for the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) said it was the only way that depleted cod stocks could recover.

Their advice is used by EU ministers in setting catch levels, but in the past they have rejected a complete ban.

However, the scientists said haddock, the mainstay of the Scotland's white fish fleet, was still plentiful.

But they said it was likely that catch levels of haddock would decline in future.

ICES scientists first warned that Scotland's cod stocks were in a poor state three years ago.

They also want to see cuts in catches of North Sea plaice and sole, and restrictions on catching effort for monkfish.