English Channel scallop fishing dispute

The English Channel scallop fishing dispute, also called the Great Scallop War or guerre de la coquille, occurred on 10 October 2012[1] or 8 October 2012,[2] between British and French fishermen in the Channel 24 kilometres (15 mi) off the coast of Le Havre, France.[1][3] The dispute arose because of a difference in fishing restrictions between the two countries. British scallop fishers are allowed to fish for scallops year round, whilst French scallop fishers are not permitted to fish between 15 May and 1 October each year.[4] Other confrontations took place in the same area on 28 August 2018 and 13 October 2020.[5]

English Channel scallop fishing dispute
Date10 October 2012 or 8 October 2012
28 August 2018
13 October 2020
Location
15 nautical miles (28 km) off the coast of Le Havre, France.
Caused byDifferent fishing restrictions on British and French scallop fishing.
French fishermen claim the British boats were within the 12-nautical-mile (22 km) fishing exclusion zone around the coast.
GoalsTo prevent British fishermen fishing for scallops.
Parties
British scallop fishermen
French scallop fishermen
Number
5 trawlers
40 boats
Casualties and losses
3 trawlers damaged
2 boats damaged
Channel map with main capes, islands and cities. Mercator projection, 2005 data

2012

Approximately 20 French fishing boats surrounded five British fishing boats and, according to the British fishermen, tried to ram the British boats, throwing rocks and nets and attempting to damage their propellers and engines.[6] French fishermen claim their actions were in response to the British boats being inside the European Union's Common Fisheries Policy 19 kilometres (12 mi) fishing exclusion zone; British fishermen deny that they were within the exclusion zone.[2]

The British Marine Management Organisation informed French authorities; the French Navy intervened and a meeting took place between the French and British fishermen to resolve the dispute.[1]

2018

On 28 August, 35 French fishing boats tried to prevent several British fishing vessels from catching sea scallops off the Normandy coast.[5] Violence began when three large British trawlers were chased by the French fishing boats. British trawlers Golden Promise and Joanna C were damaged after being rammed and hit by stones, metal shackles, petrol bombs and rocket flares, and were eventually forced to seek shelter at Brixham. Scottish dredger Honeybourne III attempted to ram a number of French boats after a fire erupted on board; three French vessels were also damaged. The Scottish trawler eventually docked at Shoreham. The violence was condemned by both British and French officials. Talks started on 5 September but by 12 September had failed to conclude, owing to British and French intransigence.[7][8][9] The French Navy vowed to intervene in the event of future clashes.[10]

Subsequently, a "crab war" developed in which the British claimed that the French fishermen deliberately damaged their crab pots. This violence was also condemned by both British and French officials.[11]

2020

Further incidents occurred in 2020. On 13 October two British boats, Golden Promise and Girl Macey, based in Brixham, were in the Baie de Seine, near the 12-mile French territorial limit. One of the boats was surrounded by five French boats, the other by fifteen. Flares, oil and frying pans were thrown at the British boats by the French. The French boats also jammed frequencies used by the British trawlers.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Scallop War: French 'Pelt' British Fishermen". News.sky.com. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  2. Sawer, Patrick (21 October 2012). "Scallop wars: an uneasy ceasefire as fishermen await the next salvo". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  3. Fiona Harvey, environment correspondent (10 October 2012). "British fishermen attacked by French boats in the Channel | Environment". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  4. Hinnant, Lori (11 October 2012). "Scallop spat: UK, French fishermen in catch clash – US news – Environment | NBC News". MSNBC. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  5. Scallop war: French and British boats clash in Channel
  6. "Worldnews – French and British dispute over scallop fishing". FIS. 12 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
  7. Minister Eustice Oral Statement on Scallops
  8. News; World (30 August 2018). "Battle for the scallop: French and British vessels ram each other as seamen hurl rocket flares over fishing rights | National Post". Nationalpost. Retrieved 7 February 2019. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  9. thegirlsun (30 August 2018). "Brit fisherman caught in scallop wars calls for Royal Navy to be sent to France to protect our boats". The Girl Sun. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  10. French navy will 'intervene' to avert fresh 'scallop war' as Gallic fishermen vow fresh 'assault' if no deal reached
  11. Ward, Victoria (20 September 2018). "Scallop wars barely over as new accusations from Cornish fishermen spark crab wars". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 7 February 2019.
  12. Bett, John; Smith, Colleen (14 October 2020). "Fish wars as Devon boats under attack by French fishermen". DevonLive. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
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