A sort ofAt the end of the Christmas speech last December, Boris Johnson reached a business agreement with the media. I Smiled at the camera and said: “This is the holiday-by the way, fish are everywhere.” Fishing rights and fishing quotas are the main obstacles to the negotiation of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
The results are recorded on page 14, followed by three attachments with tables for 124 species of fish. But all attention to detail is of no avail: only a few months after the treaty entered into force, the fishing industry caused serious conflicts between Britain and France, which also led to conflicts between the European Union.
In May of this year, French fishermen protested near the Jersey Channel Island and formed a siege circle around the port. This situation escalated for the first time. London let two patrol boats run out, so Paris also sent two armed boats. The dispute finally settled in the negotiations-but broke out again in October.
Dissatisfaction in Scotland and Cornwall
This time, if London stops issuing permits, Paris threatens to impose sanctions: ban British ships from parking, strengthen truck control at the canal border, and increase electricity prices in the Channel Islands. Therefore, if the threat is executed, London has announced legal measures. Earlier this week, Paris passed the ultimatum. Since then, negotiations have been ongoing.
Until the beginning of this year, the United Kingdom was still part of the Common Fisheries Policy. Like all EU countries, the country receives quotas from Brussels. This has caused dissatisfaction in coastal areas in previous years, especially in Scotland and Cornwall. Fishermen have become the backbone of the Brexit movement, partly because Brexit seems to be expected to bring immediate economic benefits. With the implementation of Brexit, according to the definition of the Library of Congress, the kingdom “has become an independent coastal country with full responsibility for fisheries management in the 200-mile exclusive economic zone.”
In principle, only the United Kingdom can decide who can enter its waters. London had hoped for an immediate transition to sovereignty, but the European Union threatened to limit the British fish market. This is the reason for the compromise: by mid-2026, a quarter of the EU’s fishing quota will be transferred to the Kingdom; negotiations will be held annually thereafter. Since January, mutual visits have been organized through the new permission system-this is the focus of controversy.
France accused the British and Jersey authorities of withholding permits. According to the contract, anyone who can prove that fishing has been carried out in a certain area from February 1, 2017 to January 31, 2020 is entitled to it. This usually causes inspection problems for smaller tools, as they usually do not have a GPS system. The Confederation of British Fisheries Organizations recently pointed out that distinguishing between proving claimants and free-riders is a normal technical exercise, “best done through quiet conversations away from easily agitated politicians.”
Such politicians rule Paris and London. According to the French government, the British deliberately withheld the permit and therefore failed to fulfill their obligations. London denied this and stated that Emmanuel Macron is escalating the conflict in order to be able to stand out as a representative of national interests in the election campaign. He also wanted to prove that leaving the EU would cause problems.The conflict with France is also good JohnsonSince January, the negative impact of Brexit has been obvious, which has reduced the enthusiasm for Brexit in the survey. The reference to so-called obstruction from France is a welcome explanation.
The conflict is centered on Jersey
As far as the overall economy is concerned, fishing has no effect on Britain or France. But the industry is important to the coastal areas of both countries and has stirred people’s emotions. It is difficult to determine how many ships are currently waiting for a license. London guarantees that 98% of EU applicants-1,700 people-have a fishing license; for the remaining 2%, evidence must be checked. Paris talked about the 10% detention permit, which affects all French fishermen.
The conflict is centered on Jersey. According to the information provided by the local government, French ships obtained 113 permits, and last week 49 permits with a limited period were issued. 55 applications were rejected. On the other hand, France stated that its fishermen have obtained 210 permits for the 6 to 12 miles around Jersey and Guernsey. However, 454 has been requested. Disputes are also caused by loopholes in commercial contracts. It clarifies what applicants must prove to be eligible, but it does not explain how to prove it.
Some people think it is connected to another conflict zone after Brexit: Northern Ireland. From the perspective of the United Kingdom, the European Union, and France in particular, has made a particularly detailed interpretation of the withdrawal treaty—more precisely: the Northern Ireland Protocol—in order to cause trouble for London. Based on this interpretation, London may now be inclined to over-apply trade treaties in order to create difficulties for France.Both conflicts seem to be technical, but both are political: London wants it Brexit It succeeded, but Paris failed.
