Scottish fishermen have been offered up to £50 million to ease the pain of the EU's reduction in white fish quotas.

The prime minister was set to offer the aid during talks on Tuesday with fishermen, following a European agreement to dramatically slash quotas to counter dwindling stocks.

The package, targeting processors and the wider fishing community, includes up to £40 million to decommission boats and £10 million to secure a six-month breathing space for the industry to adjust.

Scotland's minister for environment and rural development, Ross Finnie, said the deal was aimed at long-term security for the industry.

"Sustainable fisheries are the best long-term guarantee of economic prosperity for our fishing communities. The package of financial assistance will help the fisheries sector and its associated communities to adjust to these new European Community measures," he said.

"Our policy objectives are two-fold. Further restructuring of the whitefish sector coupled with rational economic planning, and a process of structured change in the sector."

But the announcement has already been branded a sell-out.

The Scottish National Party, which was opposed to the reduction in fish quotas, said the government was running down the fishing industry.

"Four-fifths of the government's cash may be earmarked for decommissioning vessels when other countries are building new fleets at Scotland's expense," said SNP leader John Swinney.

"The UK government which signed the deal is refusing to apply for European cash that is sitting on the table in Brussels."