Britain’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that four 80-metre gunboats have been readied to guard British waters from EU trawlers in the event that there is no new agreement on fishing rights after December 31, when transitional arrangements end.
Fishermen living in the South of England are hoping for a no-deal outcome in crunch Brexit talks taking place in Brussels. It came as Britain prepared to deploy Royal navy ships to patrol UK fishing waters in the event of a no-deal.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that four 80-metre gunboats have been readied to guard British waters from EU trawlers in the event that there is no new agreement on fishing rights after December 31, when transitional arrangements end.
Fisherman living in Hastings in the South of England have told British channel Sky News that they “want their waters back.”
The EU has raised the prospect of its boats having continued access to UK waters for up to a year if negotiators don’t reach a deal.
“I don’t think there’s a fisherman alive who doesn’t want a no deal,” said Terrilea Coglan, a fishmonger living in Hastings.
Another fisherman even said he would drink alcohol despite being a teetotaler, if a no-deal outcome was achieved.
Talks continued in Brussels on Saturday night before the UK and the EU decide Sunday, deadline day, whether they’ll continue to try for a deal or walk away.
2020 Republic