Fishing shows its power to fuel disputes – but sense must prevail
SKIRMISHES over fishing rights are nothing new. Britain has been involved in diplomatic incidents with Iceland and Spain, to name but two in recent decades, while clashes between fishermen from different nations – and sometimes even from the same country – flare up from time to time.
But the temporary blockade of the Jersey port of St Helier by French fishermen yesterday, angry at the new licensing regime introduced by the Channel Island, demonstrates just one more of the unwanted consequences of Brexit.
Considering its relatively modest contribution to the UK economy, fishing has caused a significant proportion of the difficulties that have erupted since the Brexit deal was agreed by the UK and the European Union shortly before Christmas.
No one, however, should be surprised. The theme of the Brexiteers, that leaving the EU meant taking back control, used fishing as a prime example of how Britain would benefit from Brexit.
Perhaps, in hindsight, it would have been better to have concentrated on other areas because fishing – with its export market to the continent severely curtailed and its hopes of gaining greater access to fish stocks still some way off – has not seen many of the promises met. Fishermen are still, broadly, supportive of Brexit, but they feel let down by the British government, which, many believe, failed to deliver on the promised deal that would benefit the UK fleet.
Slowly, markets into the EU for British fish and shellfish are improving. The continental appetite for our catch has not diminished and the channels through which it can be sold are opening up again.
And, in time, UK fishing boats will almost certainly see their access to waters improve, at a cost to foreign rivals.
However, it has been a bumpy and costly ride for many fishermen and fish export businesses. Skirmishes like the one we have seen off the Channel Islands, with fishing boats from Normandy, are – many would say – giving the French a taste of the kind of medicine dished out to British fish exporters by the customs and trade officials from EU nations who are checking catches.
The tit-for-tat nature of post-Brexit deal problems does neither side any great credit. The French threat to pull the plug on electricity to Jersey over the islanders’ insistence that French fishermen meet the letter of the law on licencing was provocative and overblown.
Boris Johnson’s response to the planned blockade, sending in the Royal Navy, can be justified by the potential risk to free shipping movements. But it looks to have been as much a political gesture as a military one.
The important thing is that this dispute is resolved in short-order without further escalation. We should be past arguing about the costs and benefits of Britain leaving the EU. Both sides now have a duty to make the new relationship work.
That includes finding ways to accommodate French and UK fishermen in shared waters until full changes take effect.