Some people estimate that peace is temporary, since the underlying issue regarding Brexit has not yet been defined.
The French and the British agree to end ‘Scallop War’
FRANCE
Tuesday, September 18, 2018, 22:30 (GMT + 9)
A deal has been reached between French and British fisherman to end the dispute over scallop fishing in the English Channel, which will be passed on to authorities in the two countries to be finalised.
The agreement was announced by a French Agriculture Ministry official, who explained that under its terms, UK vessels of less than 15 metres would continue to be able to take scallops from the waters, but larger boats would cease activities in the Baie de Seine, northern Normandy, from Tuesday until the end of 30 October, Reuters reported.
The row, which arose as Britain negotiates its exit from the European Union, centered on the size of the boats that are allowed to fish in the Baie de Seine,
For his part, British fisheries minister George Eustice welcomed what he said was a “pragmatic” outcome.
“This means our over-15-metre fleet will get the days at sea it wanted, while allowing the under-15-metre fleet to continue fishing in the area,” he said in a written statement.
Fishing rights are likely to become an increasingly sensitive issue as Britain negotiates its future relationship with the EU after Brexit in March 2019. where scallops can be found in large quantities.
The clashes had seen some French and British fisherman throw rocks and other projectiles at each other. Earlier this month, France warned it would deploy the navy if necessary in what has been dubbed the “scallop wars”.
As it was informed by The Guardian, Jim Portus, chief executive of the South Western Fish Producers Organisation, pointed out: “Industry members were not entirely ecstatic about the French holding them to ransom since failing to sign the accord in July, but I think this is a better outcome than we faced at the end of last week”.
On 5 September, the governments of the UK and France released a joint statement saying “constructive” talks had resulted in a deal under which the smaller British vessels would be covered by the conservation measures. The French government agreed to compensate British boats.
But on 13 September, it was announced that the talks had broken down, with reports suggesting the amount of compensation required to end the standoff was too great.
Related article:
- No deal reached between France and UK over scallop fishing rights
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