Scallops row warnings ‘fell on deaf ears’, say UK fishermen, after French ‘hurl rocks and smoke bombs’ at boats

August 31, 2018 3oliver

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British fishermen have claimed that warnings about an extraordinary clash over scallops in the English Channel fell “on deaf ears”.

French mariners have been accused of endangering the lives of their UK counterparts after rocks, smoke bombs and other projectiles were allegedly hurled at English and Scottish vessels during the confrontation in the early hours of Tuesday.

Around a dozen British boats were targeted by the rival flotilla in a protest over fishing rights in the scallop-rich waters exacerbated by Brexit talks.

The Government said it had contacted officials in France about the matter, adding the vessels were “legally entitled” to fish in the area.

But some British fishermen have claimed they had previously reported similar skirmishes over the past two years to the authorities.

“Nothing happened, it just went on deaf ears,” said Brixham-based mariner Derek Meredith.

British fishermen have called on the Government to intervene, with some asking for Navy protection — Around a dozen UK fishing boats were targeted by a rival French flotilla in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy early on Tuesday

The South Western Fish Producers Organisation, which represents many of the boats and has been negotiating with French fishermen, condemned the behaviour as dangerous.

Chief executive Jim Portus said: “They are endangering life at sea by being unprofessional. The French might look like heroes to the French coastal communities, but it’s really awful to put other mariners in danger.”

Around 40 French boats were said to be responsible for the disruption.

One of the British ships, The Golden Promise, had a window smashed by an airborne can, while another suffered fire damage after a flare was thrown at it, Mr Portus said.

A smashed window onboard of Golden Promise at the Brixham Harbour in Devon, which was smashed by a rock thrown by french fishermen - Credit: SWNS.com — A smashed window onboard of Golden Promise at the Brixham Harbour in Devon, which was broken by a rock thrown by french fishermen Credit: SWNS.com

He claimed to have received a message from the chief negotiator of the French scallop industry on Wednesday morning that said: “I regret the altercations that occurred… it will not happen again.”

‘It’s happened before… the French navy were there and did nothing’

It is not the first time such a clash has taken place, according to the owner of one of the Brixham boats involved.

“We reported it to the (Marine Management Organisation), nothing happened, it just went on deaf ears.”

The skipper of Joanna C, Nathan Clark, also told the broadcaster: “I’m not really concerned because we’re doing nothing wrong… it’s just the safety of my crew and the boat really, because there’s nothing to stop them doing it all over again.”

Fishermen Callum Clark and Nathan Clark onboard Joanna C at the Brixham Harbour in Devon after they were attacked - Credit: SWNS.com — Fishermen Callum Clark and Nathan Clark onboard Joanna C at the Brixham Harbour in Devon after they were attacked Credit: SWNS.com

Britain’s National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations has appealed for calm, while the Scottish White Fish Producers Association lashed out at the “vigilante behaviour”.

Long-running dispute over section of Channel

Maritime authorities in France also sought to soothe tensions on Wednesday, decrying the showdown as “very dangerous” and expressing hope that “things will calm down”.

The long-running dispute centres on a section of the Channel from which French fishermen cannot harvest scallops until later in the year, due to domestic environmental laws.

Dramatic footage broadcast by France 3 Normandie showed boats colliding as tensions finally boiled over.

The Honeybourne 3 (right), a Scottish scallop dredger, in dock at Shoreham - Credit: Andrew Matthews /PA — The Honeybourne 3 (right), a Scottish scallop dredger, in dock at Shoreham Credit: Andrew Matthews /PA

One of the British boats involved in the clash was said to be the Honeybourne 3, a Scottish scallop dredger, along with two ships from Brixham harbour, The Golden Promise and Joanna C.

The Honeybourne 3, one of the British boats involved in the clash, was moored in Shoreham Port on Wednesday morning.

A black spatter mark was visible on the vessel’s stern while dents and scrapes marked the port side bow.

MP claims ‘no evidence’ that French have taken action against vessels

Fears have been raised about the safety of the British fleet, which the Government said was its “highest priority”.

Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, claimed Environment Secretary Michael Gove had assured her that “appropriate measures” were in place to protect fishermen.

She also criticised the response of the French authorities, saying there was “no evidence whatsoever” that they had taken action against the vessels.

Dimitri Rogoff, head of a Normandy fishermen’s association, said the violent scenes “demonstrate the exasperation of Normandy fishermen in a situation which persists and does not change”.

A history of fishing ‘wars’

UK government: Safety of fleet is highest priority

A British government spokesman said: “We are aware of reports of aggression directed towards UK fishing vessels in an area of the English Channel not under UK control.

“These vessels were operating in an area they are legally entitled to fish.

“The safety of the UK fleet is our highest priority and we will continue to monitor the presence and activities of vessels in the area.

“We are in contact with industry and the French administration to encourage meaningful dialogue and prevent further incidents from occurring.”