Deal reached on Facebook over scallop wars

AHISTORIC deal to end the escalating ‘scallop wars’ which put Brixham fishing crews’ lives at risk was brokered over Facebook, the Herald Express can reveal.

The deal was done between French fleet representatives and Jim Portus of the South West Fish Producers Organisation over social media.

It means larger British boats will withdraw from the disputed scallop beds temporarily in return for greater fishing rights elsewhere.

Smaller boats can continue to fish in the Bay de Seine, where violence flared last month.

“It’s a common sense solution,” said Mr Portus.

“The French fishermen’s representatives are friends of mine on Facebook. They sent me a personal message saying they were ready to talk, having walked away from negotiations in Dublin just a few days earlier.”

The dispute flared up in the Baie de Seine as boats collided and fishermen threw stones and heavy chains at each other.

Ropes were put into the water in an effort to foul propellers.

Mr Portus said lives were put at risk as a result of ‘foolhardy and dangerous’ tactics.

Torbay MP Kevin Foster had called in the House of Commons for French crews to be prosecuted under criminal law if they were guilty of causing violent confrontations.

Under the terms of the new deal, UK scallop dredgers over 15m long will leave the scallop beds off Normandy for six weeks.

In return, France will transfer fishing rights for scallops in areas such as the Irish Sea.

Smaller British boats are not restricted.

Brixham has both large and small boats in its fleet.

Mr Portus said: “The French have come to their senses.

“This is a strategy that should have been agreed back in July, but it’s better late than never.

“It means our smaller boats can go back to the Baie de Seine should they wish to, without having rocks thrown at them.

“It is a valuable fishery for small boats.

“What happened last month was foolhardy, dangerous and potentially life-threatening. It really was a very nasty business

“We haven’t resorted to throwing rocks, and I hope we never do. We should be able to come to some sort of agreement.”

Mr Portus said that after Brexit, the UK would regain choices it does not have under the EU Common Fisheries Policy.

He added: “Our membership of the EU brought all its duties and regulations, and we gave away the choice about who can come into our waters and what they can fish for.

“Afterwards we will be in charge of the decision-making process and it will be a matter for Westminster.

“If you’re not on the list, you’re not coming in!”

Fisheries minister George Eustice has commended the UK fishing industry for its patience through negotiations and welcomed the ‘pragmatic’ solution reached by Mr Portus and his French counterparts.

Fishermen Callum Clark and Nathan Clark onboard Joanna C in Brixham. The fisherman were attacked by angry fishermen 15 miles off of France