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The Scallop Wars escalate as French trawlers confront British fishermen in the Channel

Video grab from footage taken by British fisherman being surrounded and hounded by French trawlers in the English Channel

Credit: Brian Whittington/Brian Whittington

Scallop wars have broken out again in the English Channel after French trawlers confronted British fishermen by firing flares and throwing frying pans.

Two British boats, the Girl Macey, skippered by Scott Glover, and the Golden Promise, by Brian Whittington, were involved in the confrontation in the early hours of Monday morning.

They were surrounded by around 20 French vessels and were pelted by objects including frying pans and rocks. The hostile French crews even threw oil at the Gal Macey before firing a flare at the ship.

The outbreak of violence has sparked fears that hostilities are worsening and a death is inevitable.

Brian ‘Winkle’ Whittington, 43, skipper of the Golden Promise, said: "I was expecting it this time, they only do it in the dark.

Video grab from footage taken by British fisherman being surrounded and hounded by French trawlers in the English Channel. Two British boats, the Girl Macey, skippered by Scott Glover, and the Golden Promise, by Brian Whittington, were involved in the deep-sea skirmish

Credit: Brian Whittington/Brian Whittington

"We can’t use the radio when they do it as they just talk over us instantly, so I couldn’t check on Scott to see how he was.

"We were about two miles apart and I had two or three boats around me. Scott had 15 around him, they were throwing oil at him and firing flares.

"I was mentally prepared for it, I knew it was going to happen again."

Both vessels are based out of Brixham, Devon. And Derek Meredith, a fishermen from Brixham and owner of the Golden Promise, believes that tensions are heightening in the Channel.

Crates of scallops sit on display at a fishmongers in Paris, France. Britain's former fishing rights in European Union waters could be carved up in a Brexit trade deal

Credit: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg

He said that this incident could have easily resulted in a death, as the flare could have set the Gal Macey on fire.

Mr Meredith said: "When I heard about it I was very concerned, if that flare went into the wheel house the boat would have burned up, and would the French have helped?

"The boat would sink and the French would just leave our boys to drown. They shouldn’t be doing what they’re doing but they seem to get away with it every year."

Mr Meredith also called on the Royal Navy to help British fishermen, saying they were routinely attacked while doing their jobs.

He said that despite growing tensions and worsening conflict, nothing is done and his crew are left to fend for themselves.

Tensions have been growing each year due to a difference in fishing restrictions between the UK and France. British scallopers are allowed to fish year round, but the French are not permitted to fish between May 15 and October 1. Fishing rights and quotas are a central part of the ongoing Brexit negotiations. 

This creates hostility towards the British fishermen, and the French try to keep the best stock for themselves and keep UK boats out of the good areas.

Despite the confrontation, the fishermen are returning to continue fishing for scallops so they can earn their livelihood.

Mr Whittington added: "I’m going back over there, it will happen again tonight. It will take me about ten hours to get there, I’m mentally prepared for it to happen again.

"We don’t fight back, if we start throwing things at them then it will be our fault and not theirs.

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