Scottish trawler baffled by France talks about political maneuver

The owner of the Scottish trawler, fined and confused on Wednesday by the French authorities, said Thursday that it was a “misunderstanding” and denounced a political maneuver.

“It seems to be a misunderstanding. We believe that we are legally fishing in French waters. I suspect it’s politically motivated, we haven’t had this problem (before), ”said Andrew Brown, spokesperson for MacDuff Shellfish based in Mintlaw, north of Aberdeen. “The waters in which we were fishing had been open since October 18,” he added, reached by telephone.

Tensions between Paris and London

He confirmed that the trawler Cornelis, specializing in scallop fishing, had been diverted to the port of Le Havre (northern France) and its captain questioned. “We are trying to contact the French authorities. We are trying to make sure the UK government works on our behalf, ”he added.

Tensions rose further between France and the United Kingdom after two British fishing boats, including the Cornelis, were fined Wednesday during checks.

Tightening of controls

These controls, customary “during the scallop fishing season”, are also “part of the tightening of controls in the Channel, in the context of discussions on licenses with the United Kingdom and the Commission. European ”, specified the French Ministry of the Sea.

France, in conflict with the United Kingdom over post-Brexit fishing licenses, announced on Wednesday the entry into force next Tuesday of the first retaliatory measures against the Channel Islands and London if the number of licenses granted to fishermen French remains insufficient.