Compensation deal to end French scallop row
UK fishermen to be given compensation and extra quotas to end controversial trips into French waters
Britain has agreed that its vessels will stop fishing for scallops in French waters in a move that ministers believe will end violent clashes in the English Channel. The UK and France struck a deal that will mean British fishermen receive “reasonable compensation” for agreeing not to enter French waters in a bid to end the “scallop wars”. Last week, around 40 French vessels fired flares, hurled stones and rammed a small group of British trawlers fishing legally in waters off northern France.
BRITAIN has agreed that its vessels will stop fishing for scallops in French waters in a move that ministers believe will end violent clashes in the English Channel. The UK and France struck a deal that will see British fishermen receive “reasonable compensation” for agreeing not to enter French waters in a bid to end the “scallop wars”.
Last week around 40 French vessels fired flares, hurled stones and rammed a small group of British trawlers fishing legally in waters off northern France.
French fishermen are banned from catching scallops between May 15 and Oct 1 to conserve stocks.
However, smaller British vessels are exempt from the ban and have been fishing in the area, prompting the violent backlash.
British and French fishermen were yesterday joined by officials from both countries as they hammered out a deal.
In a joint statement, the British and French governments confirmed that an “agreement in principle” had been reached. Details of the compensation package will be agreed at a meeting in Paris, which is likely to see the French government grant the UK the right to catch more fish in its waters.
The Government will then sell on the additional quota to British fishermen, and use the proceeds to compensate fishermen barred from taking scallops from French waters.
The prospective deal was given a cautious welcome by the British fishing industry and MPS. Sheryll Murray, the Tory MP for South East Cornwall and one of the Government’s strongest critics over the scallop wars, said: “In principle it sounds reasonable.
“If the smaller vessels are being compensated in some way then it should be enough to resolve matters.
“All eyes are now on talks in Paris on Friday to ensure British fishermen get the right level of compensation.”
Dimitri Rogoff, the head of the Normandy fishing committee, welcomed a “good global deal”.
It came as senior Tory MPS said that French fishermen should face prosecution for attacking British vessels.
Neil Parish, a Tory MP and chairman of the environment select committee, yesterday criticised the failure to take action during a session with George Eustice, the fisheries minister.
He said: “Once you start throwing things at another boat and at people this would be considered assault… we will expect surely some action.
“You are a very reasonable man, minister, but perhaps in this instance you will have to be less reasonable with the French.”
Mr Eustice said: “I’m not aware of any prosecutions being brought. I’m sure the French authorities will be… making a judgment as to whether or not it’s appropriate to take forward prosecutions.”