Fisheries dispute: negotiating instead of fixing | tagesschau.de

After the gruff dispute over fishing rights, France and Great Britain are trying to achieve more objectivity again. But the conflict over fisheries could flare up again in northern Europe – with other parties involved.

The dispute over fish and the fishing grounds in the English Channel – is it a matter only between France and Great Britain or is it the whole European Union? In any case, the EU Commission is reluctant to comment. Brussels has only made sure that Paris and London can hold talks there. Officially, there is only so much to be heard about it: The talks brought progress in many respects and developed a positive dynamic in order to come closer to a solution, says Commission spokesman Tim McPhie.

The conflict is a clear consequence of Brexit, says Klaus Ubel from the German Fisheries Association, because the waters in question were previously fishing areas for fishing cutters from across the EU – but no longer. That is why it is “a very big mystery for outside observers why France has to go it alone on a national level and why the EU utters such a booming silence,” said Ubel.

The Brexit agreement leaves room for interpretation when it comes to fishing on the high seas, especially when it comes to the licenses for individual ships that are required if they want to fish in the waters of the other side. “We would have expected the EU to give clear support with regard to the interpretation of the agreement and take positions there.”

From escalation …

But she doesn’t have that. Instead, the situation threatened to escalate further after France announced that it would defend the fishing rights of French fishermen with claws and teeth and, if in doubt, arrest British ships in order to subject them to strict customs and security controls. Thereupon the British side announced, no less pithy, retaliatory measures and summoned the French ambassador in London to report.

It looked like some kind of fishing war in the English Channel. For the British political advisor Graham Gudgin of the University of Cambridge, this development was completely exaggerated. France is to blame: “For the British side it can hardly be understood that France is making a big deal out of it. In fact, it is only about a few dozen small French boats that now simply need a license for British waters. They did not have them and that’s why, from my point of view, they weren’t allowed to fish there either. “

… to de-escalation

For a few days now, however, the signs have been pointing to de-escalation. Paris has not followed up on its threats, and there has been no more saber rattling from London either. Nevertheless, it is no secret in Brussels that this conflict is really an immediate consequence of Brexit. On the one hand, because it is now about fishing licenses in foreign waters, on the other hand, it is also about demonstrating one’s own power. And according to the French Brexit expert Jean-Christophe Gallien from the Paris Sorbonne, both sides are very interested in a strong performance.

Boris Johnson wants to show that he is now the master of his own house. And Emmanuel Macron wants to set an example before the French presidential elections. “Both are looking at their own agenda, especially Macron. With him, France will also take over the EU presidency from January,” says Gaul.

Are there any other conflicts?

All of this has heated up the situation. Nevertheless, there is now an assessment on all sides that the heated minds will calm down because the whole thing is not worth a serious conflict. Klaus Ubel from the German Fisheries Association is still concerned about the post-Brexit fishery. Since then, fishing rights have not only been disputed in the English Channel, but currently also around the Norwegian Svalbard. Norway, as a non-EU member, is apparently taking a bad example from the British and wants its waters for itself. This could then also have consequences for the German fishing industry.

“The Norwegians are currently seizing the opportunity to make use of fishing rights around Svalbard that would actually belong to the EU. There it can happen that the EU vessels that continue to fish there are arrested by the Norwegian authorities.” So when it comes to fishing, the consequences of Brexit are currently drawing noticeable circles – even in areas where they might not have been expected.