French fishermen fear that Brexit could wreck their industry if they are denied crucial access to British territorial waters in the Channel.

The French National Fisheries Committee complained on Tuesday that larger vessels accustomed to fishing in British territorial waters could be deprived of up to 80 per cent of their catch.

French boats are currently allowed to fish up to six nautical miles from the British coast in many areas but EU laws largely prevent British vessels from fishing within 12 miles of the French coast.

The committee has written to the French prime minister, Manuel Valls, warning that Normandy, Brittany and the ‘Hauts de France’ region around Calais could be “very badly affected” by Britain’s departure from the EU.