The UK fishing industry does not need the European single market or access to other nations' waters, the body representing Scottish fisherman has said.

Bertie Armstrong, chief executive officer of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, also dismissed the idea that fisheries should be part of the UK's Brexit negotiations.

Giving evidence to Westminster's Exiting the European Union Committee, he said the UK Government should instead make it clear from the outset that the sector "will not be part of the 30 pieces of silver deal", and access to UK waters for other nations will be discussed after leaving the EU.

Mr Armstrong's comments follow publication of a House of Lords report which found the UK fishing industry will need continued access to EU markets in order to thrive.

It also warned the UK may have to allow EU-registered boats to fish in its waters as part of an overall deal.

During the committee session in Aberdeen, Mr Armstrong said: "I would look forward rather than backwards with market, and I would like to see very much a change in the rhetoric of 'we must be in the single market'.

"We're not going to be in the single market. We don't need the single market, we need an adequate market in order to press our products abroad."

An end to the tariff-free arrangements the single market provides would not be a disaster, he added.

"Let us not be frightened to death by tariffs at all," he said. "Some small tariffs would not necessarily be a disaster. Particularly as the other side of that coin is that you may access new markets like, for example, India."

Asked whether he fears the fishing industry might be "sold out" as part of the Brexit negotiations, Mr Armstrong replied: "Very much."

He added: "It is perfectly clear to us, it is for the UK to decide that this is our natural resource, our heritage, and if sustainably-harvested will be available forever, to say at the outset that we will use it - which is normal under international law - for the benefit of the United Kingdom.

"The matter of access of other vessels to our waters, they will have the access that they presently enjoy, which is unfettered, up until the moment of Brexit, and thereafter we can negotiate for those countries who have something to offer in exchange for the access."

He added that UK vessels do not need access to other nations' waters.

"Seventeen per cent of our fish are caught outside our own waters. If we were to have any repatriation it would monstrously overwhelm that.

"We would still wish to do that (fish in other nations' waters) but it is by no means essential."