It’s Friday and this is a big day in the Anglo—French fish war. The European Commission has given Britain until tonight to move towards a settlement of the 11 months old dispute over licences for Fr boats to fish within 6-12 miles of the S Engl and Channel Islands coasts. 1/10
The UK government refuses to recognise this deadline. France says it will ask the EU to take retaliatory action – and will otherwise take action of its own – unless there is some movement by Britain (not necessarily a complete solution) by tonight. 2/10
It's worth pointing out that there has been SOME movement in the last month while the dispute has been out of the headlines. The French said in November that they were missing 180 licences. Now the Fr sea minister reckons it’s 94. Other accounts suggest 104. (Sigh) 3/10
The reduction is explained in 3 ways. France has withdrawn some requests, which it accepted weren't well-documented. Guernsey (helpful from the start) has issued 43 licences (almost all Fr requested). Jersey has issued a few licences in dribs and drabs (drabs not dabs). 4/10
The main problem is now NOT with Chan I’s (where a solution can be reached). It’s with the UKG which is refusing 53 licences for Fr boats to fish close to S Eng. This means that the angriest Fr fishermen are in Pas de Calais – handily placed for blocking cross-Channel trade. 5/10
Forty of the disputed Pas de Calais boats are new vessels. The UKG refuses to accept that they are “direct replacements” - as allowed under the post-Brexit treaty – because they are larger than the old ones. This is where Fr is hoping for concessions from London today… 6/10
RECAP The dispute arises because of the vagueness of the post-Brexit treaty signed almost a year ago. Outside 12 miles, there is no problem. Licences are automatic. Fishing within 6-12 miles is reserved for EU (mostly Fr boats) which have fished there in recent years. 7/10
The treaty is silent (see below) on what proofs are needed of past fishing effort and what defines a “replacement” vessel, France accuses Britain of adopting unreasonably demanding definitions of its own. 8/10 
State of play (I think):
Guernsey has given 43 inshore licences; 16 are under consideration.
Jersey has given 125 licences and 38 temp ones, which run our in Jan. It has refused 13.
Britain has given 105 licences and refused 53, including 40 “replacement boats”.
9/10
Guernsey has given 43 inshore licences; 16 are under consideration.
Jersey has given 125 licences and 38 temp ones, which run our in Jan. It has refused 13.
Britain has given 105 licences and refused 53, including 40 “replacement boats”.
9/10
That all look likes sprats and tiddlers, you say? Yes. When the row first exploded in May, there were something like 300 licences in dispute. Now it’s around 100.
That means at least 500 livelihoods, the Fr say. What does it really mean to the UK?
10/10
That means at least 500 livelihoods, the Fr say. What does it really mean to the UK?
10/10
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