New deal struck in fish wars: UK and Jersey governments issue more licenses to French fishing boats to trawl British waters
- The UK and Jersey governments have issued further licenses to French fishing boats.
- EU deadline passed on Friday without an agreement on post-Brexit fishing row
- But a government spokesperson confirmed that 18 more licenses have been issued.
- Meanwhile, Jersey has granted permanent licenses to an additional five ships.
The UK and Jersey governments have issued further licenses to French fishing boats to traverse British waters in an apparent effort to reduce cross-channel tensions.
A Friday midnight deadline by Brussels to resolve a post-Brexit fishing row passed without agreement.
But in a statement yesterday, a government spokesman said that 18 more licenses had been granted to replacement vessels that were already capable of producing ‘new evidence’ of fishing on British grounds, with seven more boats being considered. .
A government spokesman said 18 more licenses had been awarded to the replacement ships which presented “new evidence”. Pictured: Fishing boats sunk in the port of Boulogne, France
Meanwhile, Jersey has granted permanent licenses to an additional five vessels, she said.
Ships are required to prove that they have fished one day in UK waters in each of the four years between 2012 and 2016.
Guernsey and Jersey ask for proof of fishing for more than ten days in a year of the same duration.
France has threatened to pressure the EU to impose trade sanctions and legal action against Britain if a “signal of goodwill” is not given.
It’s unclear whether the latest UK offering will satisfy Paris.
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