French Authorities Detain British Fishing Boat

 

A previous agreement, which was reached under Boris Johnson, saw the UK regain 25 per cent of EU fishing quotas, but this was set to run out next year.

Now, the EU will maintain unfettered access to the UK’s coastal waters until 2038.

According to report British fishing boat has been detained by French authorities after allegedly being caught operating without a licence in the English Channel.

The Lady T, which is based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, was being held in Boulogne-sur-Mer on Saturday and now risks being confiscated.

The vessel was intercepted by the Pluvier, a French navy ship, on Thursday and the catamaran’s skipper is now facing prosecution for fishing for whelks without a licence.

The incident has come days after Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, was criticised over a deal with the EU over fishing rights, which was seen to favour the French.

A spokesman for France’s Maritime Prefecture said: “On Thursday, May 22, the French Navy’s public service patrol vessel, the Pluvier, conducted a fishing inspection in the French Exclusive Economic Zone, off the Somme Bay.

“During this operation, which was part of the State’s maritime enforcement, a British fishing vessel was inspected by sailors from the Navy patrol vessel while fishing without a license in French waters.

“As the offence was proved, the fishing vessel was diverted during the night of May 23 to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, following the instructions of the Delegate for the Sea and Coastline, acting on behalf of the Regional Prefect, who oversees the fisheries police, for the purpose of initiating prosecution under the authority of the Public Prosecutor.”

The spokesman added: “This operation demonstrates the vigilance of State services in protecting fisheries resources and their determination to enforce regulations.

“It sends a clear signal to those who might be tempted to fish illegally in French waters.”

On Saturday, the Lady T was moored behind the Bassin Loubet fish market in Boulogne.

The ship’s skipper, who refused to give his name, said: “I have nothing to say to you, I won’t answer.”

The 10m boat is now forbidden to leave the port until further notice.

Another British-flagged vessel was intercepted and detained in French waters last Saturday – less than 48 hours before the Government was accused of “surrendering” to the EU on fishing rights.

The Francesca TO 80, registered in Truro, Cornwall, was spotted 30 nautical miles off the island of Batz, off Roscoff, Brittany. She was escorted to the port of Brest after inspectors suspected the crew of unlicensed fishing in French waters.

This also constituted an offence under the Rural and Maritime Fishing Code, it was alleged. 

Under Sir Keir’s new deal, European trawlers will be granted access to British waters for a further 12 years.