EU chiefs were today told that the "unacceptable slaughter" of North Sea fish will continue unless quotas are increased.
Environment secretary Richard Lochhead issued the warning to EU fisheries commissioner Joe Borg ahead of vital forthcoming talks on quota levels for next year.
He told MSPs in Parliament that the issue of discards, where dead unwanted fish are dumped back in the sea, is an indictment of the Common Fisheries policy (CFP).
Much attention at the talks will be on cod, he added.
Mr Lochhead said today: "Commissioner Borg publicly denounces discards.
"Let me clear - unless he increases this quota we will be condemned to yet another year of unacceptable slaughter.
"There is no greater indictment of the CFP than the huge waste of good quality and valuable fish thrown overboard dead."
Discards occur when catches exceed a trawler's quota or the wrong type of fish is caught.
Mr Lochhead said that a 15% increase in the cod quota is justified, but must not come with "draconian strings" including across the board cuts in days at sea.
The environment secretary said that Scotland can expect the "usual provocation" from the Commission in next Wednesday's proposals.
But he said: "If they are serious about following the scientific and socio-economic advice, then they must move on from cuts in days and build on what we have put on the table."
Scientists last month indicated that the number of young fish in the North Sea had increased and there had been a reduction in fish mortality.
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) still called for a heavy cut in cod fishing in 2008 to allow stocks to recover, but it was the first time in more than six years it had not advocated a complete ban.
Mr Lochhead branded the CFP "discredited" and said that the government will be setting up a task force in the new year to explore alternatives to it.
He repeated calls for the Scottish Government to be given the lead in UK fisheries negotiations with the lion's share of interest. The Scottish fleet has 70% of the UK quota and two-thirds of landings.
"The UK Government has so far refused to allow Scotland to take a lead role," he added.
"In fact to date the UK Government has refused even to enter into a discussion about the possibility of Scotland taking a lead role."
The council of EU ministers will decide next month on quotas and other fisheries management measures for 2008.
Mr Lochhead also announced that the Scottish White Fish Producers' Association is to shortly apply for Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) accreditation for haddock and langoustines.
He added: ""I am delighted that the Scottish White Fish Producers Association (SWFPA) is seeking this prestigious international charter mark.
"The MSC standard means consumers can buy fish with confidence - knowing that these stocks are being fished sustainably.
"It shows the Scottish industry's growing confidence that it is embarking on the lengthy and tough process to secure such an award."
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