Join our crew and become one of the 110,406 members that receive our newsletter.

EU And U.K. Near Conclusion of Fishing Rights Dispute

Fishermen fish aboard the Boulogne-sur-Mer based trawler "Manureva" in the North Sea, off the coast of northern France, December 7, 2020. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

EU And U.K. Near Conclusion of Fishing Rights Dispute

Bloomberg
Total Views: 1654
April 10, 2022

By Jorge Valero

Apr 10, 2022, (Bloomberg) –The dispute between the European Union and the U.K. over fishing permits is nearing its conclusion as almost all the contested licenses have been granted to French vessels, the Financial Times reported.

“The commission fully intends to continue building a successful and constructive relationship with the U.K.,” EU commissioner for fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius told the FT in an interview published Sunday. “We managed to achieve most of the licenses that have been requested,” with around 70 permits outstanding, he added.

Both sides have been in talks over EU vessels’ access to U.K. waters following Brexit in 2020. Paris threatened to ask the bloc to take legal action over the issue as it considered that the U.K. demanded too much evidence to allow French fishermen continuing their work in U.K. waters under the terms of the new association agreement.

The dispute went quiet for weeks amid the turbulent geopolitical context following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron said last week that 90 percent of licenses had been retained.

Overall, about 1,500 EU boats have access to the U.K.’s exclusive economic zone, 12 to 200 nautical miles from the coast; and 150 to its territorial waters, from 6-12 miles out. In addition, 131 French boats have licenses to fish around the channel island of Jersey and 44 around nearby Guernsey.

© 2022 Bloomberg L.P.

Unlock Exclusive Insights Today!

Join the gCaptain Club for curated content, insider opinions, and vibrant community discussions.

Sign Up
Back to Main
polygon icon polygon icon

Why Join the gCaptain Club?

Access exclusive insights, engage in vibrant discussions, and gain perspectives from our CEO.

Sign Up
close

JOIN OUR CREW

Maritime and offshore news trusted by our 110,406 members delivered daily straight to your inbox.