Brexit dispute
France arrests British fishing boat
The dispute over fishing rights has led to a guerrilla war between France and Great Britain. Both countries are still unable to agree on generally applicable licenses.
© Gareth Fuller / DPA
It’s getting uncomfortable in the English Channel: the French coast guard has intercepted a British fishing boat. The dispute over fishing licenses in the border area is thus entering the next round.
The dispute between France and Great Britain over fishing licenses in the English Channel is coming to a head. A British fishing boat had been escorted to a port by the French coast guard due to a lack of authorization, now the judiciary is taking over the case, the French Minister of the Sea Annick Girardin tweeted on Thursday night. There was a fine in the room and the confiscation of the catch.
It was only on Wednesday evening that the French government announced that from November 2nd, British fishing boats would no longer be allowed to dock at certain French ports. In addition, France will systematically check the safety of British boats in the future. Trucks driving from France to Great Britain or in the opposite direction should therefore also be checked more closely.
France and Great Britain in dispute since Brexit
Britain criticized the announcement. Brexit Minister David Frost was disappointed. The measures are very likely not in line with international law and the Brexit Treaty.
Since the UK left the EU, London and Paris have been arguing about fishing licenses for French boats, especially around the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey. In the Brexit agreement it was agreed that European fishermen should get fishing licenses for a zone of six to twelve nautical miles off the British coast. In order to obtain a license, a fisherman must prove that he was previously active in these waters.