French fishermen blocked off a boat in the port of St Malo this morning as they started a day of protests over post-Brexit fishing rights.

According to Reuters, the Jersey-based vessel Normandy Trader was prevented from leaving the port in Brittany.

There are also plans for fishermen to block the Channel Tunnel and the port of Calais later today.

The row centres around French fishermen demanding the UK issue more licences to fish in British waters than what Westminster says was agreed in the post-Brexit trade deal.

In order for a licence to be granted, fishermen need to be able to show they have worked in UK waters in recent years.

Some of those on the French side have been unable to provide this evidence – which would also give access to waters around the Crown Dependency of Jersey.

A similar agreement is in operation for British vessels to work in French waters.

Brexit: French fishermen to block Channel Tunnel over fishing licence row

Has Brexit made dealing with illegal migration more difficult?

Brexit: Gibraltar looks to EU-UK ‘sausage war’ talks to secure supermarket supplies

French authorities briefly seized a British fishing boat that was in its waters last month, taking it back to one of their ports.

The scallop vessel Cornelis was eventually allowed to leave Le Havre port.

Why are the UK and France fighting?

Speaking ahead of today’s action, Gerard Romiti, president of the National Maritime Fisheries Committee, said: “This is our demonstration of the quality and ability of professional fishermen to mobilise in response to the UK’s provocative, contemptuous and humiliating attitude towards them.”

A Downing Street spokesman said the government was “disappointed by threats of protest activity”.

He added: “It will be a matter for the French to ensure that there are no illegal actions and that trade is not affected. We continue to monitor the situation closely.”

It is not the first time French fishermen have sought to take direct action.

In April, they blocked lorries carrying fish from British waters to processing centres in France.

And the British navy dispatched two patrol boats in May when French boats blockaded the Saint Helier harbour in Jersey.

Follow the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker

The tension comes as the UK and French government seek to find a way to address the issues which lead to the 27 Channel deaths on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the Port of Dover said they were aware of the potential for a “limited period of disruption in France”.

They added: “The port will be open for business as normal, and has tried and tested plans in place to deal with temporary interruptions to cross-Channel services should they occur.

“We would encourage any customers travelling to allow some extra time for their journey and check with their chosen ferry operator for the latest updates.”

Related posts:

EU politician ‘hasn’t slept well’ after seating arrangement gaffe Iran blames Israel for sabotage attack on nuclear facility Israel still in grips of political crisis as violence escalates on both sides Israel-Gaza violence: Street battles break out in cities where Jews and Arabs have coexisted Israel assembles troops at Gaza border as flights cancelled over safety fears PM to hold emergency Cobra meeting over worsening situation in Afghanistan Paralympic swimmer criticises Heathrow Airport after wheelchair ‘destroyed’ on way to Tokyo Putin heralds Assad’s win over the ‘terrorists’ as the pair meet in Moscow for the first time since 2015 COVID vaccine passports ‘increase jab uptake’ in countries with lower coverage, study suggests Beijing Winter Olympics should not be Chinese ‘sportswashing’ opportunity, Amnesty International warns China has forcibly returned nearly 10,000 overseas nationals, says report Homes on three Tongan islands ‘completely destroyed’ by tsunami as pictures of devastation emerge