NOW FRENCH THREATEN ‘HEAVY ARTILLERY’ AS SCALLOP WAR RAGES ON
BRITISH fishermen have been warned they could face “heavy artillery” in the latest twist in the recent scallop wars.
Stephane Travert, the French minister of agriculture, has hosted talks with his British counterpart George Eustice in a bid to tackle rising tensions between the two countries. An agreement is expected next week.
Mr Travert said: “Because I am defending French fishermen and our fishing industry, I have asked my English counterpart to see to it that English fishermen keep out of the area where the clashes took place, until we have the necessary talks and meetings to find a solution.”
Slingshots
Violence broke out on Tuesday between British and French fishing boats off the coast of Normandy.
It is claimed French fishermen are looking to step up attacks against UK boats. They shared images of websites offering slingshots and ball bearings.
Pierre Sophie, a French fisherman, has warned that the “war” is not over.
In a series of Facebook posts, translated into English, he wrote: “Friends Fisherman watch your AIS [tracking system], if he keeps heading down there go back home, war is not over.”
In another post, he wrote: “Will come back with more boats!
“We’ll have to get the heavy artillery out!!!”
He also shared footage of the clashes on Tuesday, with the caption “bunch of ******** ”. And fellow French fisherman Steph LF also gave his reaction: “The little French frog ate some ******* British roast beef.”
French fishermen are said to be online, keeping a close eye on maritime traffic in a bid to stop any British boats who legally try to fish for scallops.
The Royal Navy’s Fishery Protection Squadron could be drafted in, but this could prove to be problematic as the French are responsible for policing the area.
France has imposed a ban on fishermen catching scallops from May 15 to October 1, but this does not apply to foreign boats.
An agreement had been in place which limited the access of British boats longer than 16 yards before October 1, but no deal has been finalised.