UK and France fail to agree scallop fishing deal

[Nergal]

 

The UK and France have failed to agree a deal to end a dispute over scallop fishing in the English Channel.

Crews clashed in the waters last month over laws that allow British boats to gather scallops year-round, but places restrictions on French vessels.

The two sides had agreed on the principles of a deal earlier this week, but were unable to finalise it during negotiations on Friday.

A government spokeswoman said discussions were continuing.

Further talks have been proposed for Tuesday, but the meeting has not yet been confirmed.

Tensions rose over scallop fishing in the Baie de Seine in August when 35 French boats confronted five British craft off the coast of northern France, with reports of stones and smoke bombs being hurled at UK fishing crews.

A French local government spokesperson, Ingrid Parrot, said: "Things were thrown on both sides."

The row stems from laws that allow British boats to legally forage in the area all year round, but French law bans their crews from the area between 15 May and 1 October to conserve stocks.

There is an industry-wide agreement that British vessels larger than 15m are not allowed in the area, but smaller boats could still forage,

As a result, French crews have accused the British of depleting shellfish stocks.