A BRITISH fishing boat has been put in French custody after allegedly being caught “whelking without a licence” – in the English Channel.
The Lady T., which is based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, was being held in Boulogne-sur-Mer on Saturday, and now risks being confiscated.
GettyYellow British fishing boat trawler alone in the English channel (stock)[/caption]
It comes after Keir Starmer surrendered British fishing waters for another 12 years after being reeled in by a classic EU ambush this week.
France’s Martime Prefecture said: “On Thursday, May 22, the French Navy’s public service patrol vessel, the Pluvier, conducted a fishing inspection in the French Exclusive Economic Zone, off the Somme Bay.
They said that during the scan “a British fishing vessel was inspected by sailors from the Navy patrol vessel while fishing without a license in French waters”.
The Brit boat was captured by French Navy ship the Pluvier on Thursday.
The catamaran’s skipper now faces prosecution for fishing for whelks without a license.
The Martime Prefecture added: “As the offence was proved, the fishing vessel was diverted during the night of May 23rd to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.”
The authorities also boasted: “This operation demonstrates the vigilance of State services in protecting fisheries resources and their determination to enforce regulations.
“It sends a clear signal to those who might be tempted to fish illegally in French waters.”
On the day it was caught, the Lady T. was moored behind the Bassin Loubet fish market in Boulogne.
Her skipper refused to give his name.
He said: “I have nothing to say to you, I won’t answer.”
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