British and French boats clash in the channel. Video in link.
Good to see old traditions being maintained.
The UK government has defended British scallop boats involved in clashes with their French counterparts in the English Channel, saying they were legally entitled to operate in the area.
Stones were thrown and boats rammed on Tuesday morning, in the latest of a series of incidents dubbed “scallop wars”.
“We are aware of reports of aggression directed towards UK fishing vessels in an area of the English Channel not under UK control. These vessels were operating in an area they are legally entitled to fish,” said a government spokesperson.
The skirmishes took place more than 12 nautical miles out to sea. Under EU law, British boats are not allowed to fish within 12 miles of the French coast but smaller vessels can dredge for scallops in the 40-mile stretch of international water known as the Baie de Seine – while the French have access only from November to February.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/201 ... r-skirmish
Makes me nostalgic for the cod war of the 1970's.
Scraping the seabed to catch scollops is an ecological disaster and now the stocks are running out the fishermen are fighting over the limited resources left.
Ban the lot of them for 20 years or develop a beter way of fishing for scallops.
I miss Otern's knowledge at times like this. He would have a better idea of what is going on here.