EU states...

In particular, France, the Netherlands, Spain and some others are said to be concerned that the withdrawal agreement governing the terms of the divorce does not cover fishing.

May says the deal would restore Britain’s status as a coastal power and that London will withdraw from the EU common fisheries policy. National waters are an emotive issue in British ports, but EU officials want to agree rules for European boats in a later deal on the future relationship rather than in the tricky divorce.

Maritime members fear their boats will be excluded from British waters after Brexit and have raised the issue in Brussels -- and may argue that since the deal keeps Britain in the EU customs union, it should share its fish.

“You could argue that because of the customs union, British fish has access tariff free to the single market,” a European diplomat told AFP. “Fish is a real issue. You know fishing communities, you know how vocal they are. Same thing on the UK side.”