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The writers of the Whitehall report warn clashes would place immediate strain on maritime agencies, with nearly 300 foreign boats fishing illegally on day one of Brexit. The report also warns of border violations and smuggling as potential major issues.







The report, known as Operation Yellowhammer, said: “Up to 282 EU and European Economic Area nations’ fishing vessels could enter illegally or are already fishing in UK waters. “This is likely to cause anger and frustration in the UK catching sector, which could lead to clashes between fishing vessels and an increase in non-compliance in the domestic fleet. French fishermen have already warned they would stop British fish being sold in France if they were barred from the waters. Regional fishing committee’s in Northern France have even threatened to block Calais.

Leaving the EU will give UK fishermen exclusive access to British waters

Fishermen have been concerned about the Common Fisheries Policy

Chairman Oliver Lepretre said: “If there is a hard Brexit, I can assure you that not a single kilo of seafood or fish from Britain will get into France. Current EU laws make 12 nautical miles around the coast of Britain free to use for foreign ships. International boats are also given access to up to 70 percent of the quotas for ground stocks in Britain. France alone lands 120,000 tonnes of fish from the UK fishing zone, with the Netherlands and Denmark netting 177,000 tonnes and 237,000 tonnes respectively. READ MORE: Violent protests expected across UK and Ireland on Brexit Day

The policy gives foreign ships access to UK waters

But with the county taking back control of its waters, the laws could be revoked and UK fishermen will enjoy 200 nautical miles of exclusive access. The document comes just a week after leaked emails from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) warned the UK may not be able to fully protect its waters after Brexit. They claimed Britain’s 12 patrol boats could not respond to threats across a perimeter chiefs claim is three times the surface area of the UK. But British fishermen are excited by the prospect of exclusive access and the end of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). DON'T MISS

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France have warned no UK fish will be sold in the country if they are banned from shipping in UK waters

A total of 92 percent of fishermen voted to leave the EU

Polls claimed 92 percent of those in the industry voted to leave the European bloc, with concerns on the CFP at the forefront of the debate. Fishermen say leaving the EU would see the sector boom without stringent CFP rules on the amount and type of each fish that are allowed to be caught. Fishing for Leave said: “On taking office as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said he would energise the United Kingdom. “One way of doing this which would be both hugely beneficial and environmentally rewarding is for the UK - abiding by International law - again to manage our nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 200 nautical miles/median line zone and doing so in a far superior way to the Common Fisheries Policy.

The Prime Minister is relaxed about leaving without a deal

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