British Fishing Boat Seized Following UK-EU Fishing Deal
The Spin
Right narrative
The detention of Lady T demonstrates the clear imbalance in the UK’s relationship with the EU. While Labour gives European fisheries open access to UK territorial waters until 2038, the French respond by clamping down with full force on British fishing vessels for minor infractions. If European authorities wish to uphold maritime law, they should focus instead on stopping illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.
Pro-Europe narrative
The detention of Lady T by French authorities was a necessary action brought about by the actions of the ship’s skipper. The vessel was fishing for whelks inside the French Exclusive Economic Zone without the required documentation and authorization. Illegal harvesting like this poses a grave threat to the livelihoods of French fishermen and demands a proportionate response, which French authorities delivered.
