British fishermen 'sold down the river' after Brexit as EU trawlers show 'no regard' for UK vessels

In May, Labour agreed to a new, 12-year fishing deal with the European Union as part of a broader "EU reset".

The agreement, which granted EU vessels continued reciprocal access to UK waters until June 2038, prompted major backlash and claims of "betrayal" from parts of the UK fishing industry.

Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed the deal represents a "total sell-out" and a "betrayal of Brexit," arguing that it reverses the progress his own Government made on fishing rights.

British fisherman, Martin Gilbert, 62, argued that both the Tories and Labour betrayed their promises of increased fishing opportunities despite securing the Brexit vote.

He said French and Belgian vessels are routinely undermining the ability of Britain’s fishing fleet to operate effectively.

Mr Gilbert told The Independent: "It’s very disappointing. We were promised to get our own little island, and as far as I’m aware, it’s still an absolute nightmare for merchants to sell abroad due to paperwork, inspections and stamp approvals. It’s too much hassle, and now only 50 per cent of the fish we produce goes abroad.

He added: "Meanwhile, we’ve got French and Belgian trawlers fishing within the six to 12-mile limit, which causes so much damage to our fishing fleet. They have no regard for anyone but themselves. I’ve lost tens of thousands of pounds worth of gear over the last 30 years."

The fisherman recalled an incident five years ago where a French vessel destroyed £15,000 of crabbing equipment in one night.

EU boats often measure up to 100-metres in length, meaning they often dwarf their UK counterparts.

One fisherman revealed he spent £60,000 to £70,000 each year on new pots and ropes as his gear was regularly damaged.

UK fishermen were overwhelmingly in favour of Brexit, with one survey conducted in June 2016 finding that 92 per cent intended to vote to leave the European Union.

Britain's ties with the EU had long been seen as detrimental to the UK's fishing fleet.

Marc Evans, the chief executive of charity Fishermen’s Mission, said: "If you go back to the campaigning days of Brexit, the fishing community, without a shadow of a doubt, got a disproportionately powerful voice.

"Getting UK territorial water was a bit like the £360m NHS figure [on the Vote Leave bus] – the reality was that it wasn’t exactly true. Nothing has changed – fishermen are still in direct competition with the French, Dutch and Spanish, the waters are being overfished and their quota is being suppressed.”

Richard Brewer, a Whitby fisherman, previously told GB News: "I'm afraid we haven't got the fleet that we used have to in the UK anymore. The fishing is done by the big super trawlers of other member states."

He added: "When I first started, it was a very vibrant industry. A lot of people wanted to be in the industry and invest in the industry, and now it's only the hardcore people that are left trying to make a living with it.

We're having a hard time with various Governments of all colours trying to get some support from them.

"Giving the fishing industry negotiation rights away for 12 years is absolutely ridiculous. We have no chance now of negotiating a settlement. It seems to be set in stone, and we are just hoping that we do get a change in Government and we can negotiate our way out of it.