Thursday, September 30, 2021

London expects “retaliation”
Paris allows fisheries dispute to escalate further

France and Great Britain discuss licenses for fishing boats in the English Channel. London has recently rejected a large part of Paris’ applications for fishing rights. The background is complicated regulations since Brexit. Tensions between countries could escalate again.

In the dispute with Great Britain over fishing rights in the English Channel, France intends to present “retaliatory measures” in the next week. “We have a calendar with actions at the national and European level,” said Fisheries Minister Annick Girardin. It is aimed at the British and “our Jersey neighbors”. It will be “presented early next week” and will also contain retaliatory measures.

This is France’s reaction to the rejection of a number of fishing rights for French vessels: London approved 12 of France’s 47 license applications, the British Channel Island Jersey 95 of 170 applications, including temporary licenses. Jersey is about 30 kilometers off the Normandy coast and its waters are especially rich in fish.

The post-Brexit deal negotiated by the EU states that European fishermen can continue to sail in certain British waters, provided they are granted a license. This will be given to them if they can show that they have fished there before. According to French fishermen, this is not easy. Fishing rights were one of the sticking points in the trade agreement between the EU and the UK, which has been in full force since May 1.

In May, the dispute over fishing rights between France and Great Britain briefly escalated: When dozens of French trawlers threatened to blockade the port of Saint Helier in Jersey, the British government sent warships into the maritime zone. France also sent warships.