That brings to an end our coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 16 January 2017.

We'll be back tomorrow.

Have a good night.

Image source, bbc

Mr Ewing says there is a lot of common ground between the SFF and the Scottish government.

The minister highlights the amount of fish exported to the EU and there are serious questions about that, if there is no access to the single market. 

He asks what will happen to the workers who come from the EU.

Mr Ewing concludes saying he is happy to have had the opportunity to address points made in this debate and highlight the importance of the Scottish fishing industry.   

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says it is reasonable to point out that the Scottish government fought hard for Scotland's fishing industry.

Mr Ewing says the Scottish government's paper on Brexit is the only proposal that has been put forward. 

He says Scotland want to get out of the Common Fisheries Policy and that is part of the paper. 

"I put that forward, make no mistake about that," he says.

Image source, bbc

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing says he has had the "great pleasure of working closely with Bertie and Mike".

Mr Ewing says fishermen intensely dislike the CFP, but there are more facts that must be brought to bear.

He says 33 of Scotland's objectives were achieved in Brussels this time around. 

The cabinet secretary says significant political gains were also made.

Tory MSP Finlay Carson says Scotland's fishing industry is in a unique and enviable position making it important that it gets the best deal possible.

Mr Carson says the Scottish Fisherman's Federation are looking to explore new market opportunities.

The Tory MSP says Scottish fishermen are optimistic about the UK leaving Europe. 

He urges the Scottish government to support the UK government in negotiations. 

Lib Dem MSP Tavish Scott says the fishing industry "almost to a man, voted to leave the EU."

Mr Scott says he hopes there is a sense of realism about the future.

The Lib Dem MSP says this nation is now a bargaining chip in what will be happening over the coming years. 

He says it is vital that we know where fishing stands before Article 50 is triggered.

Labour MSP Rhoda Grant says she did not agree with the Scottish Fisherman's Federation on leaving the EU.

Ms Grant says it is important now to get the best deal for Scotland and the interests of the country should be represented by a Scottish minister. 

"Everyone needs to have their voice heard," she says.

Ms Grant says devolved governments must be involved to get the best deal possible for the UK. 

She says Scottish ministers should not be representing other parts of the UK. 

Last month Prime Minister Theresa May said she would "look seriously" at the Scottish government's post-Brexit hopes.

Mrs May told the Commons she had spoken to Ms Sturgeon, but stressed that leave talks would take place at a UK level.

The PM's comments came as Scottish fishermen told MPs that their industry did not need the EU's single market.

Bertie Armstrong from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation said the industry should not be part of a "30 pieces of silver deal" over Brexit.

At the same meeting, oil and gas industry figures backed remaining inside European energy markets.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Ross Thomson welcomes Bertie Armstrong and Mike Park as his guests to the Parliament.

The Conservative MSP says he is pleased Mr Stevenson acknowledges Brexit allows opportunity for fishing.

Mr Thomson says this is a refreshing change of pace from the ususal negativity of the SNP.

The Tory MSP says there has been a decline of fishing industry since the Common Fisheries Policy came into existance.

He says the CFP has been destructive to the fishing industry and he says he is fully supportive of the SFF campaign 'A Sea of Opportunity'.

Mr Thomson says Brexit can herald the renaissance of the fishing industy for years to come.

SNP MSP Maree Todd there is an opportunity to negotiate a better deal for fishermen.

Ms Todd says the Common Fisheries Policy is clearly not fair.

The SNP MSP says today we have had a strong hint of what the future may hold for the Scottish fishing industry.

She says the UK fishing industry is very much a Scottish industry.

Allowing the UK government to negotiate this "fills me with dread", she says.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Peter Chapman says he is confused by the SNP position of remaining in the EU and the disastrous Common Fisheries Policy.

Mr Stevenson says his motion asks that political parties consider that Scottish fishermen's interests must be represented during Brexit negotiations.

The SNP MSP says "we need to avoid Scotland's rights being negotiated away as they have been in the past."

He says this will be difficult to achieve considering negotiations will take into consideration the UK's position as a whole not just Scotland.

Mr Stevenson says for the processing sector there are both opportunities and risks.

The SNP MSP says, for our catchers, gaining control of our own waters should be a "win, win, win".

Mr Stevenson says we must make agreements with other states but make stronger decisions about Scottish waters this time. 

He says fishermen are individuals who compete with one another.

SNP MSP Stewart Stevenson welcomes Bertie Armstrong from the Scottish Fishermen's Federation and Mike Park from the Scottish White Fish Producers Association

In December The Scottish Fishermen's Federation described the annual quota deal struck in Brussels as "largely positive".

The agreement reached by EU fisheries ministers saw increases approved for key species including cod and whiting.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, said the deal would bring "welcome economic stability" to fishing communities.

The Fish Council deal was also welcomed by the UK and Scottish governments.

Part of the agreement, struck in the early hours of Wednesday, will see cod and whiting come under the so-called discard ban for the first time.