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French and British fishing boats clash in scallop war skirmish French and British fishing boats clash in scallop war skirmish
(35 minutes later)
Stones were thrown and boats rammed each other as French and British fishermen clashed in the Channel on Tuesday over access to scallops, the latest flare-up in a years-long war over the prized shellfish.Stones were thrown and boats rammed each other as French and British fishermen clashed in the Channel on Tuesday over access to scallops, the latest flare-up in a years-long war over the prized shellfish.
The British were heavily outnumbered at five boats to some 35 French vessels, according to maritime official Ingrid Parot, and were eventually chased from the scallop-rich waters of the Baie de Seine area of Normandy. The British fishermen were heavily outnumbered by five boats to some 35 French vessels, according to maritime official Ingrid Parot, and were eventually chased from the scallop-rich waters of the Baie de Seine area of Normandy.
The skirmish took place more than 12 nautical miles out to sea, where the British are legally allowed to fish year-round. The skirmish took place more than 12 nautical miles out to sea, where British fishermen are legally allowed to work year-round.
But their French counterparts, restricted to fishing for scallops between 1 October and 15 May, have accused the British of depleting stocks and want them to face the same rules. But their French counterparts, restricted to fishing for scallops between 1 October and 15 May, have accused the British of depleting stocks, and want them to face the same rules.
“The French went to contact the British to stop them working and they clashed with each other. Apparently there was stone-throwing, but no injuries,” said Normandy fishing chief Dimitri Rogoff.“The French went to contact the British to stop them working and they clashed with each other. Apparently there was stone-throwing, but no injuries,” said Normandy fishing chief Dimitri Rogoff.
Rogoff said about 40 French boats had gathered overnight in protest at British “pillaging” of the scallop supply.Rogoff said about 40 French boats had gathered overnight in protest at British “pillaging” of the scallop supply.
Some of the boats rammed others – leaving holes in three vessels, footage from local channel France 3 Normandie showed – as the angry French fishermen threw smoke-bombs and hurled insults at British rivals. Boats were rammed – footage from local channel France 3 Normandie showed holes in three vessels – as the angry French fishermen threw smoke-bombs and hurled insults at British rivals.
“We are advising all parties to be calm as from the video clips some vessels are manoeuvring very dangerously,” Barrie Deas, chief executive of Britain’s National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, told Agence France-Presse.“We are advising all parties to be calm as from the video clips some vessels are manoeuvring very dangerously,” Barrie Deas, chief executive of Britain’s National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, told Agence France-Presse.
“We have raised the matter with the British government and asked for protection for our vessels which are fishing legitimately,” he added.“We have raised the matter with the British government and asked for protection for our vessels which are fishing legitimately,” he added.
“The deeper issues behind the clashes should be settled by talking around the table, not on the high seas where people could be hurt.”“The deeper issues behind the clashes should be settled by talking around the table, not on the high seas where people could be hurt.”
Tensions have been high between British and French fishermen for some 15 years over the issue, leading to angry disputes that have been dubbed “Scallop Wars”. Tensions have been high between British and French fishermen over the issue for around 15 years, leading to angry disputes which have been dubbed “Scallop Wars”.
The two sides have reached annual agreements over the past five years but the French blocked a deal this year, according to Rogoff, who said they had had enough. “For the Brits, it’s an open bar – they fish when they want, where they want, and as much as they want,” he complained. The two sides have reached annual agreements over the past five years, but according to Rogoff the French blocked a deal this year, saying they had had enough. “For the Brits, it’s an open bar – they fish when they want, where they want, and as much as they want,” he complained.
The problem had grown worse over the past 15 years as English, Scottish and Irish boats had upped their catches considerably, he added. “We don’t want to stop them from fishing, but they could at least wait until 1 October so that we can share.”The problem had grown worse over the past 15 years as English, Scottish and Irish boats had upped their catches considerably, he added. “We don’t want to stop them from fishing, but they could at least wait until 1 October so that we can share.”
Norman fishermen complain that the British use much bigger trawlers – 30 metres (98 feet) or more – that are roughly double the size of their vessels, which use more artisan techniques. Norman fishermen say the British use bigger trawlers of 30 metres (98 feet) or more – roughly double the size of their vessels, which use more artisan techniques.
The biggest British vessels can freeze the scallops directly on board. “Scallops are a flagship product for Normandy, a primary resource and a highly sensitive issue,” said Rogoff. The biggest British vessels can freeze scallops on board. “Scallops are a flagship product for Normandy, a primary resource and a highly sensitive issue,” said Rogoff.
If Britain crashed out of the European Union next year without a deal, this would solve the problem for the Normans, he added. “After 29 March 2019, they would be treated as a third party and would no longer have access to these areas,” he said. If Britain crashed out of the European Union next year without a deal, the problem would be solved for the Normans, he added. “After 29 March 2019, they would be treated as a third party and would no longer have access to these areas,” he said.
The pro-Brexit organisation Fishing for Leave, however, has denounced the “hypocrisy” of French fishermen, claiming that they have caught 60% of the fish in British waters over the past 40 years.The pro-Brexit organisation Fishing for Leave, however, has denounced the “hypocrisy” of French fishermen, claiming that they have caught 60% of the fish in British waters over the past 40 years.
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Fishing industryFishing industry
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