By Harry Holmes2021-05-13T13:42:00+01:00
That’s the accusation from France – but the truth is complicated
The Royal Navy ships may be back at base, but Jersey’s fishing row is far from over. Last week’s ‘war of the whelks’ – caused by Jersey’s decision to limit the access of French vessels in the island’s waters – evoked a volatile response from France and instigated blockaded ports and threats to the island’s power. Jersey’s fishermen called it “close to an act of war”.
Tensions were eased this week by Jersey’s decision to postpone its new licensing rules until July, but the issue will not subside. Former EU negotiator Michel Barnier accused the UK government this week of behaving like “buccaneers” by failing to honour the UK-EU trade deal.
HMS Severn joins sister ship Tamar at Portsmouth after gunboats saw off angry French skippers amid row over post-Brexit fishing rules
HMS Severn sailed back to Portsmouth this morning after seeing off French fishermen off the coast of Jersey
The Royal Navy River-class offshore patrol vessel was scrambled amid a standoff with French skippers
About 70 French trawlers staged a protest at Jersey s capital St Helier, before beating a retreat
The quarrel began after some French boats were refused licences to fish in Jersey s waters post-Brexit
Calm after the storm as Jersey s fishermen head back out to sea
On Thursday, around 60 French fishing vessels attempted to block the main harbour, St Helier, in protest at licensing restrictions
7 May 2021 • 9:21pm
Jersey fisherman Leon Dessoude on his boat the day after French fishermen protested at St Helier
Credit: Lizzie Roberts/The Telegraph
Jersey s main fishing quay was still and serene on Friday morning as fishermen prepared their boats to head out on the water.
The peace was a far cry from events the day before, when around 60 French vessels attempted to block the island’s main harbour, St Helier, in protest at the licensing restrictions.
The Franco-British fish feud: How it started Published on Share
A Franco-British feud over access to prime fishing waters escalated on Thursday as the two countries deployed patrol and navy ships near the Channel island of Jersey.
Here’s a look at the origins of the conflict and why the waters are so important to Britain and its neighbours:
– Brexit fallout –
Access to Britain’s rich fishing waters was a major sticking point in post-Brexit talks.
A transition period was agreed in which EU fishermen would give up 25 percent of their current quotas the equivalent of 650 million euros per year in 2026. The deal would then be renegotiated every year.