France protests limited UK licences granted to EU boats

Britain said on Sept. 28 it would grant 12 out of 47 applications for new licenses to small boats from the European Union to fish in its waters, provoking an angry response from France.

French fishermen have become increasingly angry over how Britain has controlled access for EU boats into its waters after it exited the bloc.

London says it has pursued a "reasonable approach", issuing nearly 1,700 licenses to EU boats to fish in Britain's exclusive economic zone, which is defined as being 12-200 nautical miles from the coast.

A total of 117 have been issued for the 6-12 mile zone.

"As regards the 6-12 mile zone..., EU vessels must provide evidence of a track record of fishing activity in those waters," the government said in a statement Tuesday.

"We have been considering applications for vessels of under 12 meters in length to fish in this zone and, on the basis of the evidence available, we are able to grant licenses for 12 of the 47 applications made."

But French Maritime Minister Annick Girardin called it "a new British refusal to apply the conditions of the Brexit accord".

Her only remaining priority was to get the licenses for French fishermen, "as provided for by the agreement", she added.

"French fishing must not be held hostage by the British for political ends."

Britain said the other applications had been rejected because of insufficient evidence the boats had fished in the area between 2012 and 2016, as stipulated in the post-Brexit agreement reached last year between London and Brussels.

London insisted its "approach has been reasonable and fully in line with our commitments in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)".

The list of successful vessels is due to be published...