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LONDON – An interim agreement was reached Wednesday to resolve a conflict dubbed "theScallop Wars"On fishing rights off the coast of France, say officials from Britain and France, officials and industry representatives said in London that an agreement on the principles of an agreement had been concluded.
The talks followed an incident last week in which French and British fishermen hit boats hard to access the fisheries off the French coast near Normandy. About 35 French ships confronted five British, sometimes hulling, in international waters during the incident.
Part of the richest scallop fishing is on the French side of the Channel, reports CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer. It attracts fishermen from both countries eager to profit from the lucrative delicacy.
According to contradictory international rules, English boats could fish at any time, while the French are forced to wait until October 1st.
French and British fishing boats collide during a fall in the Channel on fishing rights to the scallop on August 28, 2018, on this still image taken from a video.
France 3 Caen / via Reuters
A joint statement released on Wednesday said that a previous agreement involving British boats of 15 meters or more will be renewed. In addition, the agreement provides that small vessels to be included in the agreement "subject to a reasonable compensation scheme" still have to be finalized.
"In the meantime, there is a voluntary agreement for all US vessels to respect the French closure period" in the disputed area, officials said. British Fisheries Minister George Eustice said the goal of Wednesday's talks was to reach a new deal that would prevent further clashes.
An agreement reached in 2013 broke down, leading to clashes.
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