Representatives of the French and UK fishing sectors have thrashed out a settlement over the scallop fishery, following several rounds of talks that had initially looked promising, before failing to reach agreement. This belated agreement will see UK scallopers leaving Eastern Channel grounds from midnight on 17th September until midnight on 31st October – applies only to those over 15 metres.
The last round of negotiations ended with the French negotiators branding the UK compensation demands as ‘extortionate’ for an arrangement that would take the under 15m UK scallopers out of the Baie de Seine.
Talks resumed yesterday following a proposal from the French industry and a deal was reached last night. Under the terms of the agreement hammered out this week, UK scallopers over 15 metres will leave the Eastern Channel no later than midnight on the 17th September. In return, France transfers 720,000kW/days to the UK that can be used throughout Area 7, but not in 7d until 1st November.
The current situation arose after the gentlemen’s agreement that had kept the peace over the scallop fishery in Baie de Seine broke down, resulting in French vessels sailing en masse in August to protest against the presence of UK scallopers on grounds that are not open to the French fleet until October.
The present agreement may be enough to keep the peace on the scallop grounds for this year, although it is clear that neither side is fully satisfied with the situation.
British representatives claim to be unhappy that the French effectively held them to ransom after failing to sign an accord earlier this year.
‘This agreement is a better outcome for everyone,’ Jim Portus of the SWFPO said following the conclusion of negotiations.
The French industry remains dissatisfied with this agreement not being applicable to the UK under 15 metre scallopers, which remain free to operate in the Baie de Seine without restriction.
‘We were forced to drop the under 15s,’ said Pascal Coquet of the CNPMEM scallop group. ‘They are wreaking havoc,’ he said.
