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European Union

European Fishermen Threaten Blockade of Calais Port if No-Deal Brexit

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

European fishermen are vowing to blockade the Port of Calais and prevent ferries from exporting UK goods to the EU if they are denied access to British waters in a no-deal Brexit scenario. The plans are a direct response to the UK government's decision to deploy four ships to patrol UK waters and arrest European fishermen who enter them illegally. Dimitri Rogoff, head of Normandy's regional fishing committee, warned that French fishermen will stop ferries from docking at Calais, cutting off the UK's primary route to its largest trading partner. He expects similar action from fishermen in Holland and Belgium.

Key Takeaways:

  • European fishermen, particularly from France, Belgium, and Holland, will blockade the Port of Calais and prevent ferries from exporting UK goods to the EU if denied access to British waters.
  • The blockade is a response to the UK government's decision to deploy four ships to patrol UK waters and arrest European fishermen who enter them illegally.
  • Dimitri Rogoff, head of Normandy's regional fishing committee, warned that French fishermen will stop ferries from docking at Calais, cutting off the UK's primary route to its largest trading partner.
  • Fishing is a contentious issue in the Brexit negotiations, with the UK and EU unable to agree on a share of fish caught in British waters for European fishermen.
  • The UK fishing industry's contribution to the economy is negligible (0.1%), but was a key part of the Brexit campaign's "Take Back Control" message.
  • UK and EU negotiators have up to now failed to agree on a phase-in period for new fishing arrangements under a potential trade deal.

Statistics:

  • 0.1%: The fishing industry's contribution to the UK economy.
  • 200 nautical miles: The distance from the shore that the Royal Navy's four ships will patrol in waters around the UK if a no-deal Brexit is reached.
  • £20 billion: The estimated annual value of fish exports from the UK to the EU.
  • 67%: The proportion of fish eaten in Britain that is imported.

Sources:

  • Dimitri Rogoff, head of Normandy's regional fishing committee, as reported by The Times of London newspaper (https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/british-ships-could-be-barred-from-ports-in-europe-l2cl5l5z0)
  • News article on Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet)
  • News article on Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/brexit-french-fisherman-threaten-uk-calais-blockade-gunboats-2020-12)

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