{"id":130328,"date":"2025-05-25T09:45:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T09:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/130328\/"},"modified":"2025-05-25T09:45:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T09:45:13","slug":"british-fishing-boat-impounded-in-france-accused-of-illegal-fishing-news-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/130328\/","title":{"rendered":"British fishing boat impounded in France accused of illegal fishing | News UK"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"MARSEILLE,
\n\t\tThe French authorities have seized a British ship accused of fishing without a licence in the country\u2019s waters (Picture: Library image by Gerard Bottino\/SOPA Images\/LightRocket via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

A British fishing boat named after Margaret Thatcher is in French custody after being accused of operating without a licence in the country\u2019s waters. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The Lady T is being held at the port of Boulogne and faces being confiscated after being seized in the English Channel on Thursday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

French navy ship the Pluvier<\/a> caught the vessel, whose skipper may face prosecution for whelk fishing without a licence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The incident comes days after prime minister Sir Keir Starmer<\/a> came under fire for his EU fishing rights deal which critics say favours the French. \u00a0<\/p>\n

The British vessel was caught in the French Exclusive Economic Zone, off the Somme Bay, according to France<\/a>\u2019s Martime Prefecture.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A spokesman said: \u2018During this operation, which was part of the State\u2019s maritime enforcement, a British fishing vessel was inspected by sailors from the Navy patrol vessel while fishing without a license in French waters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018As the offence was proved, the fishing vessel was diverted during the night of May 23rd to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, following the instructions of the Delegate for the Sea and Coastline, acting on behalf of the Regional Prefect, who oversees the fisheries police, for the purpose of initiating prosecution under the authority of the Public Prosecutor.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Boulogne.
\n\t\tSmall fishing vessels moored in the harbour of Boulogne-sur-Mer where a British fishing ship is being held (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The Lady T was moored behind the Bassin Loubet fish market in Boulogne yesterday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The skipper, who refused to give his name, said: \u2018I have nothing to say to you, I won\u2019t answer.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp drew on the example of the thousands of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats<\/a> to accuse France of double standards.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He claimed Paris was \u2018taking no action whatsoever at sea and often ushering the illegal immigrants into UK waters\u2019 but \u2018when a UK fishing vessel is in French waters all of a sudden they are magically able to act.\u2019\u00a0<\/p>\n

\t\t\"MARSEILLE,
\n\t\tThe French authorities have seized a British ship accused of fishing without a licence in the country\u2019s waters (Picture: SOPA Images)<\/p>\n

Under a new deal, <\/a>European trawlers will be granted access to British waters for a further 12 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A previous agreement, reached under prime minister Boris Johnson, saw the UK regain 25 per cent of EU fishing quotas, but this was set to run out next year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now the EU will maintain unfettered access to the UK\u2019s coastal waters until 2038.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Britain's
\n\t\tSir Keir Starmer poses with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen before the UK-EU Summit at Lancaster House (Picture: via Reuters)<\/p>\n

Downing Street has said that the deal\u00a0\u2018protects Britain\u2019s fishing access, fishing rights and fishing areas with no increase in the amount of fish EU vessels can catch in British waters\u2019.<\/p>\n

Sir Keir met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa at a summit in Lancaster House, London, to negotiate the deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Foreign Office said it is offering support to a British national in France and is in touch with the local authorities.<\/p>\n

A government spokesperson added: \u2018As the vessel remains subject to an ongoing investigation by French fisheries authorities, we are unable to comment further at this time.\u2019<\/p>\n

Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at\u00a0webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong>\u00a0Or you can submit your videos and pictures\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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