Belgian fishermen fear loss of access to British waters after Brexit

The British exit from the European Union could be a disaster for Flemish fishermen, who fear losing access to the British waters that provide them with 60% of their catch, industry representatives said.

The UK will no longer be part of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which governs fisheries in Europe. That includes access to national waters and total allowable catches of various types of fish.

The UK would have to negotiate fisheries relations with the EU, as British fishing boats also fish in other nations’ waters, but the Flemish industry is concerned its interests may not be a priority during negotiations.

“We’re making the necessary contacts with colleagues from the sector and with governments,” said director-general Emiel Brouckaert of the Flemish fisheries federation, which is tackling the issue in conjunction with its Dutch counterpart. “We see that the British want to take back control of their own waters … we need to defend our own interests. The Flemish fishing fleet of about 70 vessels takes about 20,000 tonnes of fish, 60% of it from British waters.”

The Dutch fleet consists of 600 vessels, and the catch amounts to 600,000 tonnes, half of it from British waters. “If Great Britain really does leave the European Union, British fishermen could try to create an advantage for themselves,” Johan Nooitgedagd of the Dutch Vissersbond told Het Laatste Nieuws. “The fishing sector and the Brexit negotiators have to do their best to defend the interests of Dutch, Belgian and French fisheries.”

Photo: Toerisme Oostende/Westtoer