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UK defends scallop boats after clashes with French vessels Gove backs UK scallop fishermen who clashed with French rivals
(about 7 hours later)
The UK government has defended British scallop boats involved in clashes with their French counterparts in the English Channel, saying they were legally entitled to operate in the area. Michael Gove has said his “heart goes out” to the British scallop fishermen involved in clashes with French rivals earlier this week, and called on Paris to intervene.
Stones were thrown and boats rammed on Tuesday morning, in the latest of a series of incidents dubbed “scallop wars”. Stones were thrown and boats rammed on Tuesday morning, in the latest of a series of incidents dubbed “scallop wars”, as French boats try to protect stocks of the shellfish.
“We are aware of reports of aggression directed towards UK fishing vessels in an area of the English Channel not under UK control. These vessels were operating in an area they are legally entitled to fish,” said a government spokesperson. “My heart goes out to the British fishermen who were caught up in the terrible scenes that we saw happen earlier this week,” the environment secretary said.
“The safety of the UK fleet is our highest priority, and we will continue to monitor the presence and activities of vessels in the area. We are in contact with industry and the French administration to encourage meaningful dialogue and prevent further incidents from occurring,” the spokesperson added. “They were fishing entirely legally, they had every right to be in those waters and we talked to the French authorities in order to ensure that we have a protocol.
Sheryll Murray, the Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, called for the environment secretary, Michael Gove, to raise the issue with his French counterpart, and urge the French government to police the area more effectively. “These are French waters – it’s the responsibility of the French to ensure that those who have a legal right to fish can continue to fish uninterrupted.”
“The French fishermen just took the law into their own hands,” she told ITV. “I have been assured by Michael Gove that appropriate measures are in place to enable fishermen to carry on fishing. I’m waiting to hear a further update from him later today.” Government sources said the British ambassador to France, Ed Llewellyn, had formally raised the issue with officials in Paris, and the agriculture minister, George Eustice, would hold talks with his French counterpart.
She added: “The French authorities have the responsibility for enforcing the rules on the French side of the median line, which is the line drawn down the centre of the English Channel, but there seems to be no evidence whatsoever that the French authorities took any action.” Fishing in the area is strictly limited because of conservation measures aimed at replenishing scallop stocks, but smaller boats are allowed to operate.
Fishing in the area is strictly limited because of conservation measures aimed at replenishing scallop stocks; but smaller boats are allowed to operate. The skirmishes took place more than 12 nautical miles out to sea. Under EU law, the British are not allowed to fish within 12 miles of the French coast, but smaller boats can dredge for scallops in the 40-mile stretch of international waters known as the Baie de Seine – while the French have access only from November to February.
The skirmishes took place more than 12 nautical miles out to sea. Under EU law, British boats are not allowed to fish within 12 miles of the French coast but smaller vessels can dredge for scallops in the 40-mile stretch of international water known as the Baie de Seine – while the French have access only from November to February. Sheryll Murray, the Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, had earlier called on Gove to act, saying the French fishermen “just took the law into their own hands”.
French fishermen threw smokebombs and hurled insults at British rivals, with British fishing boat workers demanding the government intervene, calling for navy protection. “The French authorities have the responsibility for enforcing the rules on the French side of the median line, which is the line drawn down the centre of the English Channel, but there seems to be no evidence whatsoever that the French authorities took any action,” she told ITV.
However, UK government sources pointed out that the incidents took place in international waters; and stressed that the Marine Maritime Organisation was leading discussions over the issue of scallop stocks. French fishermen threw smoke bombs and hurled insults at British rivals. British boats were heavily outnumbered, according to Ingrid Parot, a maritime official, and were eventually chased from the scallop-rich waters.
On Tuesday morning, British boats were heavily outnumbered, according to the maritime official Ingrid Parot, and were eventually chased from the scallop-rich waters of the Baie de Seine. “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 the 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 the 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.
Footage from local TV channel France 3 Normandie showed boats being rammed and holes in three vessels as the French fishermen threw smokebombs at their British rivals. Footage from local TV channel France 3 Normandie showed boats being rammed and holes in three vessels.
“We are advising all parties to be calm as from the video clips some vessels are manoeuvring very dangerously,” Barrie Deas, the chief executive of Britain’s National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, told Agence France-Presse. Barrie Deas, the 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.”
“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.” “We have raised the matter with the British government and asked for protection for our vessels, which are fishing legitimately.
“The deeper issues behind the clashes should be settled by talking around the table, not on the high seas, where people could be hurt.”
Britain’s scallop fishing industry is worth about £120m a year and supports more than 1,200 jobs. Tensions have been high between British and French fishermen over the issue for about 15 years.Britain’s scallop fishing industry is worth about £120m a year and supports more than 1,200 jobs. Tensions have been high between British and French fishermen over the issue for about 15 years.
UK newsUK news
Fishing industryFishing industry
BrexitBrexit
Michael Gove
Fishing
Europe
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