- May 17, 2025
Like the farmers, fishermen feel ignored by Westminster, used as a pawn to secure closer ties back to the EU. For many this is a way of life, a culture and tradition and feel any re-negotiation of the current deal will be a betrayal of this tradition, a failure by successive UK governments to understand and support coastal communities.
Our resource rich waters containing Cod, Haddock, Mackerel, Scallops etc are a magnet to EU fishermen with France anxious to secure fishing rights for Brittany, Normandy etc who heavily rely on fishing for their livelihoods.
Macron has highlighted there will be no closer relationship with the EU until future access to British waters has been agreed calling for a “hard link”. Currently the 5 year deal struck during Brexit expires next year resulting in annual negotiations which would create uncertainty for French fishermen. Macron is seeking a long-term solution to create stability within the industry.
Fishing is hugely political in France with Macron facing pressure to secure a long term deal with a significantly higher fishing quota.
However, our fishing industry see this as a matter of sovereignty, something hard fought for in the Brexit negotiations. Any backtrack on this could be perceived as a backtrack on Brexit gains among costal communities and leave voters.
If the PM revisits the fishing deal, UK fishermen are likely to face a reduction in quotas and less exclusive access to valuable fishing grounds. This would have a significant impact on incomes and stock. This goes against the premise of taking back control and will be seen as a betrayal of Brexit.
Like Macron fighting for the French, our PM must stand up for the UK fishing communities. In addition to being hugely popular, it is a matter of principle.
Furthermore, re-visiting the deal will play straight into the hands of Reform who are seeking to end automatic EU access, ban foreign supertrawlers using electric pulse fishing, increase the UK exclusive zone from 6 miles to 12 and advocate the supporting the coastal communities.