The dispute over scallop fishing between France and UK fishermen is on
An open conflict was registered in the last weeks between French fishermen and UK's scallop fleet as the last exercised its rights to fish in the French waters while the prohibitive measures imposed during scallop breeding season are still active.
British vessels were approached on the sea in a series of dangerous manoeuvres by the French counterparts and the dispute was set to be settled in a meeting last week in London, informs Seafood Source magazine.
However, fishermen from the two nations failed to reach an agreement during their negotiations that were focused on respecting the French fishing restrictions and financial compensations.
"Both sides worked hard to reach an agreement, but in the end, the gap in the two sides’ positions regarding the level of compensation for the under 15-meter vessels was just too big to bridge. These vessels make one-third of their annual income from a three-week unhindered period in the area and it is only right that they are compensated for moving out of the Baie de Seine", explained Mike Park, chief executive of the Scottish White Fish Producers Organisation.
The U.K. scallop fishery is worth around GBP 120 million ($155 million) per year and supports around 1,200 jobs. More than 6)% of U.K.-landed scallops are exported to European countries, particularly France, which provides further fuel for the French protests of an unfair system.
The dispute is also fueled by the differences between EU regulations and French laws. Under the terms of the EU Common Fisheries Policy, fishing fleets from any member state have equal access to EU waters. However, individual countries can limit access to EU fleets within 12 nautical miles of their own coastlines. While the European CFP allows the British fleet to fish for scallops all year-round in the Baie de Seine area off the north coast of France, the local counterparts have to endure restriction applied from 15 May and 1 October to conserve stocks.
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