The blockade had been announced the day before by the national fisheries committee, as a “warning shot” to obtain the prompt granting of fishing licenses by the United Kingdom. The fishermen blocked the port of Saint-Malo between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. this Friday November 26. In the end, only one boat was prevented from entering.
It’s not our job to do that, it’s up to the government to take care of it!
The wind and the rain somewhat compromised the mobilization in Saint-Malo. Links with ferries have been suspended but Saint-Malo fishermen delayed a Jersey fishing boat. “It is time to act because we are not too supported, says Maxime Prével, who has his license for five years but is worried about the future. It’s anger, it’s not our job to do that, it’s up to the government to take care of it. We’re going to have to get moving because it’s our job and we love it. And we want to earn our money working instead of staying at home. “
Fishermen expect more from the French government, but above all from Brussels. In this showdown for eleven months with London, they are ready to raise the tone. “When it will start to harden, if it does not move, there is a moment, it will blow. It is not the English who will decide what happens. There was a treaty, so we have to stop the nonsense “, launches Franck Le Doussal, boss of Times Kloé in Dinard.
Towards a blockage of Brittany Ferries?
In Brittany, more than thirty ships are still waiting that the United Kingdom give them permission to fish in British waters since the signing of the post-Brexit agreement. The fishermen are therefore thinking about ways to harden the negotiations. “We could perhaps block larger, more important boats, like those of Brittany Ferries, from Saint-Malo to Pas-de-Calais. There, it is important for the British company, so it will be necessary to negotiate”, explains Maxime Prével.
But the fishermen do not want to get there because if they do not go out to sea, they do not touch anything and block their processing sector, which is heartbreaking as the Christmas holidays approach, crucial for their year. Other actions are taking place this Friday in Ouistreham (Calvados) and Calais (Pas-de-Calais). The fishing committee threatens to reproduce these blockages.