MP Mike Weir and Councillor Bob Spink, whose family run the largest fish processing company in the town, both explained their concerns to the news from Brussels.

Mr Spink, director of Arbroath fish processors R. R. Spink & Sons, said, “A number of years ago, our company saw the way the world was turning and took a conscious decision to concentrate on the guaranteed supplies available from the salmon and trout farming industries rather than rely completely on the uncertain white fish sector and to the extent that, for a considerable time, we even stopped producing Arbroath Smokies.

“The white fish quota cuts now seem to be an annual events and, in my view, it is not a sustainable way of managing the industry.

“You can’t keep having cuts years after year after year without having an impact on the people who work in the industry.

“I haven’t had time to fully work out what the implications will be, but, at first glance, the 13% cut in haddock quota seems to be quite unnecessary. I speak to fishermen and, according to them, the amount of haddock actually being landed is very healthy — to the extent that there is haddock being left unsold as supply sometimes outstrips demand.

“The quota cut will, almost inevitably, drive prices at the fish markets up further and I suppose we will really have no option but to take the hit and grin and bear it.”

“It is a slightly ironic situation for us in that, having gained Protected Geographical Indication status for the Arbroath Smokie earlier this year and with the R. R. Spink branded product now selling well in all the major supermarkets, the European ministers now seem to be making it as difficult as possible for us to source the quality fish required to make them.”

Mr Weir, the SNP MP for Angus, said, “The cut is, in my opinion, completely unnecessary. The cut will inevitably have a detrimental effect on the viability of a lot of boats in the Scottish fleet.

“One thing which particularly annoys me is that the scientists, who submitted the reports on which the European ministers have based their decision, had originally recommended a 40% cut, which I feel was deliberately hiked up to make the actual cuts seem not so bad.

“Given the quota cuts which the Scottish industry has had to accept over the past few years, this latest round will have a far-reaching impact on fishermen, processors and their families.

“Coupled with other increases in overheads, including fuel costs, these new cuts show just how out of touch the European ministers are with the realities of the modern fishing industry.

“This situation will not change so long as we are tied to the European Common Fisheries Policy and, for that reason, I feel it is high time Scotland regained control of its own industry.”

“Although the days of massive fleets operating out of Arbroath and Montrose are long gone, the greatest impact will be felt by the many small and large processors in the area, who depend on a regular and affordable supply of haddock — particularly those involved in producing the famous Arbroath Smokie.

“Although the raw product required by these processors isn’t landed at Arbroath to any great extent, the fact is that the quota cuts will inevitably drive up prices and that increase will have to be borne by either the processors or the consumer.”

Regarding the reduction in the number of days fishing boat skippers are allowed to be at sea, Mr Weir said, “The prospect of a nine-day reduction was being talked about at one time, but that has now been restricted to five.

“And, as the legislation will allow fishermen to claw back three of these, the overall effect will be a two-day loss of days at sea. While that may not sound like a big deal to the ordinary man in the street, to a fisherman who is already struggling to make a living in the industry it could have a disastrous impact. Many fishermen are already barely scraping by and quota cuts, combined with further restrictions on days at sea, could well force many Scottish skippers to throw in the towel completely.”