Deepening UK-France fishing row turns into deadlock

By Yusuf Ozcan

PARIS (AA) - The deepening fishing row between the UK and France has remained unresolved for 10 months due to rising demands and threats on both sides.

At the root of the growing crisis has been disagreement over post-Brexit fishing rights.

Fisheries and quotas were among the most difficult subjects of the Brexit negotiations between the EU and UK. According to their agreement, the fish stocks in their territorial waters are to be managed jointly, allowing the UK to improve its fishing activities and European fishermen to continue theirs.

The trade and cooperation deal between the two sides envisaged a 25% reduction of the EU fishing quota in British territorial waters by 2026, with annual quotas for each species of fish to be determined separately.

Agreement was reached in the negotiations on determining fishing quotas in 2021, but French fishers in particular would be barred from operating in the determined regions.

Tension grew into crisis when the administration of the British island of Jersey demanded that French fishing boats wanting to continue to operate in its waters provide evidence of their past activities.

The French government has accused the UK of not granting licenses to all French fishers who wanted to fish in British territorial waters for months.

As part of the G20 Summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson met face-to-face for the first time on the fishing row, but no solution was reached.

Statements by the French and British sides following the meeting, however, were differed from one another.

The Elysee Palace said the two leaders would work on "practical measures" in "the coming days" to promote a de-escalation in the dispute, while the British Prime Minister's Office said Johnson asked Macron to soften the French government's rhetoric and withdraw its threats, without any remarks to de-escalate the tension.

- Mutual threats

Both countries have lobbed threats at the other, especially right after the meeting between Macron and Johnson.

At a press conference held after a recent G20 Summit in Rome, Macron said: "I don't want any escalation, but we must take things seriously. We have been working for 10 months. Some of the (French) fishermen have been licensed, while others have not been granted (licenses) for unknown reasons. A method has not been determined yet for the license. The French government and EU have the right to say: ‘If you continue with this approach, there will be retaliatory measures.'"

"The ball is now in their court. If the British don’t do any significant move, (retaliation) measures starting from Nov. 2 will need to be implemented," said Macron, noting that France had provided documents requested by the British government after the meeting with Johnson.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said in a later statement that they had given France 48 hours to withdraw its threats on the ongoing issue, warning that otherwise, they would take "legal action" against the country.

- Another chance from Macron

In a "surprising" move on Monday, Macron ordered that retaliatory measures be delayed, deciding to give the UK another chance.

The French leader said Paris would not implement retaliatory measures until Nov. 2 as talks with London continue.

"We'll see where we are tomorrow (Tuesday) at the end of the day, to see if things have really changed. The next hours are important," Macron said, adding that he trusted Johnson to take the French proposal seriously.

Whether France will implement retaliatory measures appears to depend on the steps that the UK will take, with mutual retaliatory measures expected if the sides fail to reach consensus.

- Retaliatory measures

Possible retaliatory measures from France involve plans to check systematically imported British products at customs points, as well as a ban on importing seafood products.

French authorities said that other measures would also be taken, among them the possibility of cutting off electricity to Jersey Island, repeating a previous threat by French Maritime Minister Annick Girardin on May 5.

Jersey, the largest island in the Channel, has 95% of its electricity supplied by France, which is about 14 miles away. The island, which has its own administration, is represented internationally by the UK.

- Harsh statements from France, UK summons French envoy

Tensions gradually escalated as both sides made harsh statements against the other.

Clement Beaune, secretary of state for European affairs, said France has to “speak the language of force” because the "British government understands only that."

He added that British boats would be barred from French ports, aside from a few exceptions.

Amid these harsh statements and threats of retaliation from Paris to London, the UK summoned the French Ambassador to London, Catherine Colonna, to the Foreign Office.

- 'Disproportionate and unacceptable'

British Environment Secretary George Eustice also said the comments made by France were "totally disproportionate and unacceptable."

Accusing France of using provocative language, he said it must put an end to its threats.

"They (France) said they wouldn't introduce these measures until Tuesday at the earliest, we'll see what they do. But if they do bring these measures into place, well, two can play at that game and we obviously reserve the ability to respond in a proportionate way."

- France asks EU to be 'stricter' against UK

France escalated its words over time as the UK did not respond to its demands.

Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Oct. 5 that he asked the EU to "be stricter" against the UK on the issue

- UK sends navy ship

After French fishers surrounded Jersey Island's port at the beginning of May, the UK sent two navy ships as a "precautionary measure."

In response, France also sent two navy ships near the island.

Both sides withdrew their warships upon the end of the blockade by the French fishing boats.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan