BRITISH trawlermen are continuing to fish off Normandy today despite fears the scallop war with France could escalate.
About 10 British boats were yesterday in international waters 15 miles off Le Havre – well outside France’s 12-mile limit.
And in a sign of rising tension a Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel was despatched, ready to be deployed to protect British ships if needed.
Last Monday, about 40 French boats surrounded 12 bigger British boats fishing legally off Le Havre. They hurled insults and rocks and fired flares at the British boats and were accused of trying to ram a trawler from Devon.
One British fisherman was injured in the incident.
The French have threatened to return with three times as many boats and to blockade ferry ports.
Yesterday Richard Brouze, the director of a Normandy producers organisation, said: “We’re as determined as ever, and will do everything possible to achieve our aims.”
Last night Andrew McLeod, the owner of a British fishing boat caught up in Monday’s attack, said help may be on its way.
The 44-year-old, who owns the Van Dijk which was yesterday off Le Havre, said:
“We asked for some protection as soon as this started.
“We told Britain’s Marine Management Organisation our boats were being attacked by French vessels. We want our fishery protection vessels to be tasked to protect our interests.
“We had a similar situation with the Cod Wars in the 1970s with Iceland who wanted a 200-mile limit.
And in a sign of rising tension a Royal Navy Fishery Protection vessel was despatched, ready to be deployed to protect British ships if needed.
Last Monday, about 40 French boats surrounded 12 bigger British boats fishing legally off Le Havre. They hurled insults and rocks and fired flares at the British boats and were accused of trying to ram a trawler from Devon.
One British fisherman was injured in the incident.
The French have threatened to return with three times as many boats and to blockade ferry ports.
Yesterday Richard Brouze, the director of a Normandy producers organisation, said: “We’re as determined as ever, and will do everything possible to achieve our aims.”
Last night Andrew McLeod, the owner of a British fishing boat caught up in Monday’s attack, said help may be on its way.
The 44-year-old, who owns the Van Dijk which was yesterday off Le Havre, said:
“We asked for some protection as soon as this started.
“We told Britain’s Marine Management Organisation our boats were being attacked by French vessels. We want our fishery protection vessels to be tasked to protect our interests.
“We had a similar situation with the Cod Wars in the 1970s with Iceland who wanted a 200-mile limit.
"It is similar because British warships were sent after our ships were rammed.
“The French are talking about blockading ports and of sending out 120 boats, not just 40 boats.
"They seem to be escalating the situation.”
The Royal Navy can protect British vessels anywhere in the world, but would need French permission to board French fishing vessels in their home waters.
However, a joint operation, with a Royal Navy vessel carrying a French inspector, is scheduled to take place in French waters.
Mr McLeod said a Fishery Protection vessel could at least report back to the Government what is happening off the French coast.
Alex Passmore, 28, who co-owns the Emulate which returned last week damaged by rocks and flares, said:
“I would feel more reassured by a Royal Navy presence. It would be a deterrent.
“Since last week it’s been quiet but the French fishermen could come back.
“There is one rule for them and one rule for us.
“If we started throwing rocks or causing any damage to French boats in our waters we would be in court as fast as anything.
“We always fish in international waters. We keep well out of their 12-mile limit but the French can go right up to our six-mile limit.”
The Marine Management Organisation said yesterday that it is in close contact with the French authorities to try to prevent any new attacks.
Rod Henderson, the head of coastal operations for the MMO, said:
“We continue to monitor the situation on our Vessel Monitoring System and through liaising with the French authorities.
“They are continuing to patrol the area and UK vessels are continuing to fish there.
“We have received no further reports of problems.
“We are continuing high-level discussions with French counterparts to seek assurances that these issues will not occur.”
“The French are talking about blockading ports and of sending out 120 boats, not just 40 boats.
"They seem to be escalating the situation.”
The Royal Navy can protect British vessels anywhere in the world, but would need French permission to board French fishing vessels in their home waters.
However, a joint operation, with a Royal Navy vessel carrying a French inspector, is scheduled to take place in French waters.
Mr McLeod said a Fishery Protection vessel could at least report back to the Government what is happening off the French coast.
Alex Passmore, 28, who co-owns the Emulate which returned last week damaged by rocks and flares, said:
“I would feel more reassured by a Royal Navy presence. It would be a deterrent.
“Since last week it’s been quiet but the French fishermen could come back.
“There is one rule for them and one rule for us.
“If we started throwing rocks or causing any damage to French boats in our waters we would be in court as fast as anything.
“We always fish in international waters. We keep well out of their 12-mile limit but the French can go right up to our six-mile limit.”
The Marine Management Organisation said yesterday that it is in close contact with the French authorities to try to prevent any new attacks.
Rod Henderson, the head of coastal operations for the MMO, said:
“We continue to monitor the situation on our Vessel Monitoring System and through liaising with the French authorities.
“They are continuing to patrol the area and UK vessels are continuing to fish there.
“We have received no further reports of problems.
“We are continuing high-level discussions with French counterparts to seek assurances that these issues will not occur.”
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