Fresh tension has erupted between U.K. and France over post-Brexit fishing rights
Fresh tension has erupted between the United Kingdom (U.K.) and France over post-Brexit fishing rights, after U.K. recently granted license to only 12 vessels out of 47, to fish in its territorial waters.
The U.K. said it would consider further evidence to support remaining bids for fishing rights. Overall, the U.K. has granted 117 licenses to European Union (E.U.) for its inshore territorial waters.
Around 1,700 E.U. vessels have been licensed to fish in the larger U.K. exclusive economic zone, which stretches 200 nautical miles from shore.
Speaking on the occasion, the French Sea Minister – Annick Girardin said, “It is a new refusal of the British to apply the conditions of the Brexit accord despite all the work undertaken together. I have only one watchword; to obtain definitive licenses for our fishermen as the accord foresees.”
Even during the Brexit negotiations, fishing rights was one of the most critical points. Several European boats have traditionally relied on fishing in British waters and many British companies rely on selling their catch in European markets. There is a particular focus on the number of French boats that will be able to fish in British waters in the English Channel, and around the Channel Islands.
The French Prime Minister – Jean Castex has recently sent a letter to the President of the European Commission – Ursula Von Der Leyen saying that the problem was far from over and that a local dispute could quickly become a broader European issue.
A spokesman for the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) said the U.K.’s approach “has been reasonable and fully in line with our commitments in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)”.
He stated that in order to get a licence for fishing in the U.K. territorial sea, which is between 6 and 12 nautical miles from the coast, E.U. vessels must provide evidence of a track record of working there.
Separately, after protests by French vessels in the waters around Jersey, the largest of channel island between England and France, the deadline for foreign boats to submit evidence that they have fished near Jersey in the past (which helps determine future access) was extended until the end of this month.
Besides, Jersey said it had granted 64 licences out of 170 applications from French boats. Another 31 boats have been given temporary licences to give them more time to prove they have a track record of fishing in Jersey’s waters, in line with the U.K.’s post-Brexit trade deal with the E.U. The remaining 75 boats have been given 30 days’ notice, after which they will no longer be allowed access to the island’s waters.
Jersey became a reason for rising tensions in May 2021 when two Royal Navy ships were sent to patrol the area after French fishermen staged a protest outside the port of St. Helier.
As per the agreement with the E.U., French boat operators must show a history of fishing in the area to receive a licence for Jersey’s waters. But it has been claimed that additional requirements have been added without notice.
