France has detained a British scallop trawler owned by Macduff Shellfish and given a verbal warning to another fishing boat in waters off its coast.
French maritime minister Annick Girardin said it is “not war but this is a combat”, amid a warning the country could ban allowing British fishing boats to disembark at French ports from next week if tensions are not resolved.
Clement Beaune, France’s Europe minister, said on CNews TV: “So now, we need to speak the language of strength since that seems to be the only thing this British government understands.”
Andrew Brown, director of Macduff Shellfish which owns the detained vessel, told Sky News the boat was being used as a “pawn in an ongoing dispute” between the two countries.
He said: “On 27 October, Macduff’s scallop vessel Cornelis was boarded by the French authorities and ordered into the French port of Le Harve while legally fishing for scallop in French waters.
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“Access to French waters for the UK scallop fleet is provided under Brexit Fisheries Agreement. Macduff’s fishing activity is entirely legal.
“It appears our vessel is another pawn in the ongoing dispute between the UK and France on the implementation of the Brexit Fishing Agreement.
“We are looking to the UK government to defend the rights of the UK fishing fleet and ensure that the fishing rights provided under the Brexit Fishing agreement are fully respected by the EU.
“We will vigorous defend ourselves against any vexatious claims.”
The UK government said the French response could breach international law, calling the threats “disappointing and disproportionate”.
In a tweet, the French Maritime Ministry said: “This Wednesday, two English ships were fined during classic checks off Le Havre.
“The first did not comply spontaneously: verbalization.
“The second did not have a licence to fish in our waters: diverted to the quay and handed over to the judicial authority.”
One trawler was fined for obstructing checks after it initially refused a request to be boarded by police. It was later not found to have been in breach of regulations.
Labour MP Luke Pollard said the situation was “very troubling”, adding: “I’ll try and raise this in the House of Commons today. Ministers need a plan to deescalate the situation and protect British fishing.”
It is the latest twist in an increasingly bitter dispute between Britain and France over fishing rights.
France says its fishermen have not been issued with half the licences they are entitled to allowing them to fish in British waters under the terms of the Brexit agreement.
France protested against the decision last month by the UK and the Channel Island of Jersey to refuse dozens of French fishing boats licences to operate in their territorial waters.
Mr Beaune said the number of licences awarded was “not enough and not acceptable”.
The country considers these restrictions contrary to the post-Brexit agreement the UK signed when it left the EU.
However, the British government said it has granted 98% of licence applications from EU vessels to fish in its waters.
Members of the fishing industry have said Wednesday’s incident has been “politicised” by France which is “determined” to escalate the issue.
However, Mr Girardin said it is “not serious” to suggest the country could switch off electricity to the UK.
It comes after government spokesman Gabriel Attal earlier highlighted that France’s supply of electricity to Britain could be subject to sanctions introduced if “there is no change in policy”.
Barrie Deas, from the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, the body representing fishermen in England, said descending into a “tit for tat” relationship between the nations was “unhelpful”.
He said: “It may be normal enforcement action but against the background of the threatening noises coming from the French government… it’s very concerning.
“France seems determined to escalate this issue about licences and I suppose we have to wonder why.
“There’s a presidential election coming up in France and all the signs are that the rhetoric has been ramped up ahead of that on the fishing issue.”
Mr Deas added: “(The amount of) UK vessels landing into French ports is not massive.
“It’s a bit strange because the French fleets fish much more in UK waters than we fish in their waters.
“Therefore if we descend into a tit for tat relationship, I think the French fleet are very much more exposed – I don’t think that’s a very helpful way to go.”
A UK government spokesperson said it would be relaying its concerns to the EU Commission and French government.
It said: “France’s threats are disappointing and disproportionate, and not what we would expect from a close ally and partner.
“The measures being threatened do not appear to be compatible with the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) and wider international law, and, if carried through, will be met with an appropriate and calibrated response.”