Mr Lochhead said:
“We need to have a new deal in place for mackerel, which ensures a stock that Scotland and others have managed sustainably and successfully can continue to thrive.
“I am glad that all parties have finally come to the table and are stating their intention to participate in a constructive and positive negotiation.”
Senior Scottish Government officials are taking part in talks this week in London between the EU, Norway, Iceland and the Faroes Islands to discuss mackerel quotas for 2011.
