Scotland's fisheries minister has promised to explore "every avenue" in an attempt to secure European cash to compensate the country's fishermen for drastic cuts in quotas.

A deal done in Brussels will reduce cod catches by 45% and limit vessels to 15 days at sea each month.

The agreement was greeted with fury in Scotland's fishing communities, where there are fears that thousands of jobs will be lost.

Scottish National Party leader John Swinney has called for the Scottish Parliament to be recalled to discuss the deal.

We have done our very very best in the face of absolutely unremitting opposition Ross Finnie Fisheries Minister

Scottish First Minister Jack McConnell and Fisheries Minister Ross Finnie are to hold urgent talks with fishing leaders on Monday to discuss the effect of the cuts.

Mr Finnie told BBC Scotland that a "sensible" financial package would be made available for the industry.

He was not willing to speculate on media reports that the compensation on offer could be as much as �50m.

But he said: "We also want to explore whether there are any other opportunities that have not been previously explored in terms of trying to utilise European funding.

"This problem has emanated from a very serious European decision.

"One hears the European Commission talking in very glib terms about how there is always funding available so we would want to explore every avenue to see whether that its true."

Defy restrictions

About 250 people staged a candlelit vigil at Fraserburgh fish market on Saturday night to highlight the plight of the industry.

They included Carol MacDonald, the leader of the Cod Crusaders, who called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to bail out Scotland's fishermen.

She also warned that fishermen would go out to sea in defiance of the restrictions - and that they may even block the English channel in protest.

The agreement

UK white fish vessels restricted to 15 days at sea each month 45% cut in cod catches from 49,300 tonnes to 27,300 tonnes 50% cut in haddock catches from 104,000 tonnes to 51,000 tonnes 60% cut in whiting catches from 41,000 tonnes to 16,000 tonnes

Mr Finnie was also unwilling to be drawn on the action which would be taken if fishermen staged illegal blockades.

He said that he understood the strength of anger in fishing communities, but said: "I hope that it will not come to that."

The fisheries minister also defended the handling of the negotiations in Brussels.

"We have done our very very best in the face of absolutely unremitting opposition to there being any opening of the North Sea following the scientific advice.

"That was a position that was adopted by the commission and regrettably also by the majority of the member states.

"Even the deal we got was being bitterly criticised by among others the German delegation for being too soft.

'Grim resolution'

"That is not a position I held and I still do not hold that position," he said.

However, Mr Swinney said that the deal would all but close down the Scottish industry.

"Ross Finnie must tell us whether he objected to the UK voting in favour of the wholesale destruction of our fishing fleet.

This cannot wait for ministers to come back from their Christmas holidays John Swinney SNP leader

"Did he sell out on a deal that will throw thousands onto the dole or was it a case of the UK overruling Scotland?" he asked.

He said he was requesting a recall of parliament to demand "straight answers" from Mr Finnie and Mr McConnell.

"Tens of thousands of families have seen their livelihoods destroyed at a stroke and the least they deserve is an honest explanation of exactly how this was allowed to happen," he said.

"This cannot wait for ministers to come back from their Christmas holidays."

However, the Scottish Executive said later that there were no plans to recall parliament.