Growing Fishing Rights Dispute... France Seizes One British Fishing Vessel

Various Sanctions Announced Against UK... Power Supply Cut to Nearby Islands Also Considered

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] France, which is involved in a fishing rights dispute with the United Kingdom, has seized a British fishing vessel.

On the 28th (local time), according to major foreign media including the British BBC, France seized a British trawler. Annick Girardin, French Minister of the Sea, announced on Twitter that French authorities had seized a British fishing vessel engaged in illegal fishing near Le Havre, a port city in the Normandy region.

She explained that two British fishing vessels were operating without permission in French waters, and among them, the vessel that continued fishing despite warnings was seized by French judicial authorities. Minister Girardin stated that the vessel would be detained until bail is posted. Regarding this, BBC reported that the captain of the vessel also faces the risk of criminal prosecution in France.

The fishing rights dispute between the UK and France is expected to escalate further. Previously, even after the UK left the European Union (EU), it allowed fishing vessels from France and other EU countries to fish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and British territorial waters around the British Crown dependency of Jersey in the English Channel.

However, last month, the UK and Jersey authorities suddenly reduced the fishing rights of foreign vessels during the license renewal review, which led to strong opposition from the French government and intensified the conflict.

The day before, France announced that starting from the 2nd of next month, it would implement sanctions including ▲ banning British fishing vessels from landing at ports ▲ strengthening border and sanitary inspections on British goods ▲ enhancing security inspections of British vessels ▲ increasing inspections of trucks traveling to and from the UK. They are also considering cutting off power supply to Jersey, which is a British territory but geographically closer to France.

The UK considers France’s reaction excessive. David Frost, the UK Prime Minister’s Europe Adviser, said in a statement, "Since we have not had official discussions with the French government on this matter, we will urgently request an explanation of the (sanction) plans and then consider whether further measures are necessary."