Flanders will use charter from 1666 to guarantee post-Brexit fishing rights. The letter sent to UK

Belgian ambassador throws King Charles II treaty into EU fishing debate

The Flemish government argues it can invoke a charter that dates back to 1666 to secure its right to fish in U.K. waters if there's no deal on fisheries before the end of the Brexit transition period.

Fisheries is one of the remaining sticking points in the negotiations between the EU and the U.K. on a future relationship. If there is no deal before the end of the transition period, the U.K. could theoretically cut off access to U.K. waters for EU vessels.

In that case, the government of Flanders plans to fall back on a treaty issued by England's King Charles II in 1666 that grants 50 fishermen from the Flemish city of Bruges "eternal access" to British waters.

"Our goal is to reach a negotiated deal," a spokesperson for Flemish Fisheries Minister Hilde Crevits said. "But if we don't reach a deal, we could invoke the charter. It dates back to 1666 but has been confirmed by a U.K. lawyer in 1820."

After seeking legal guidance, the government of Flanders has sent a copy of the charter to the EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier.

British king granted 50 Flemish fishermen ‘eternal rights’ to English fishing waters in 1666

All is fair in love and cod war. And with the EU’s coastal states under pressure to give way on Britain’s demands for greater fishing catches in its waters post-Brexit, any old argument is worth a try.

When the issue of the future access of European fishing fleets was being discussed by EU ambassadors in Brussels on Wednesday the Belgian government’s representative, Willem van de Voorde, made a notable intervention.

To the confusion of some, and the delight of others, the ambassador cited a treaty signed some 350 years ago by King Charles II which had granted 50 Flemish fishermen from Bruges “eternal rights” to English fishing waters. It was an important historical footnote illustrating the long relationship between Belgian fishermen and British waters, Van de Voorde suggested.

When the Privilegie der Visscherie was given in 1666, Bruges was part of the Southern Netherlands, controlled by Spain. The offer had been Charles’s way of showing gratitude for the hospitality he received when he stayed there during the interregnum that followed the decapitation of his father, King Charles I, and his own restoration to the throne.

“I wasn’t quite sure what he was on about but I think he was joking,” said one confused diplomat who had listened to Van de Voorde’s intervention. “But, then, you never know.”

While the validity of the Belgian claim is somewhat unlikely, the tensions in Brussels over fishing access for European fleets from 1 January are very real.

The UK has demanded a radical increase in fishing catches in its exclusive economic zone as it leaves the EU’s common fisheries policy.

Some in Brussels recognise the need to satisfy this demand – it was one of the key arguments made for Brexit during the 2016 referendum – certain coastal countries, including France in particular, are insisting on the status quo.

During the same meeting of ambassadors, the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, pointed out that EU revenues from fishing in UK waters was around €650m, compared with €150m for British fishing in UK waters.

“I think he was suggesting that there was an argument for a change in the balance,” said one EU source. “It is going to be difficult though; no sign of France changing its mind yet.”

On Thursday, France’s European affairs minister, Clément Beaune, said Paris would not “sell out” its fishing communities to get a deal.

After meeting with his Dutch counterpart, Stef Blok, in The Hague, Beaune told reporters: “Our fishermen will not be a bargaining chip for Brexit, they will not have to pay the price for Britain’s choices.”

Beaune said a deal was still possible but “not by sacrificing the interests of our fishermen”.

“A bad deal would be the worst outcome. And so we are ready for a no-deal scenario, and we will not accept a bad compromise.”

[moxee]

That's fine but they will have to use the same boats and nets they used in 1666.

[MaximeKG]

It's genius, there are only about 60 fishers left in Belgium, all of which are registered in Zeebrugge, which is a submunicipality of Bruges. Things might have changed over the years, fishing boats are much bigger with a lot fewer people fishing, but the charter still stands.

[alanedwards]

Think you will find the 50 fishermen have sadly passed away by now....

[annewillis]

I agree, let's enact the treaty of bretigny 1360 where England owns most of France.

[christophersangster]

Surely you can only wave that treaty if you’ve been abiding to what’s written on it ?
My guess the EU fishing quota’s over the years have not abided to it.
Agreement is now not worth the paper it’s written on now

[thatsdisgusting]

Now thats something, digging out a 350 year old treaty signed by a King who obviously hasnt had much "foresight". Nowadays 99.9% of people cant even read this.

[regiscoupy]

Lawyers specializing in international law please go to the left queue, those in domestic laws please form up on the right.

[brucemcdonald]

then we need to go through our archives for the last 1000 yrs and see what parts of europe belong to the uk, as well as reperations for all the wealth stripped by the scandinavians and romans

[beast]

Why does the EU think it’s giving any concessions on fishing, there UK waters bone heads

[wolfiewolf]

Unfortunately that treaty would have to be void due to the fact that when that treaty was signed that country was an independent state that is no longer the case as its run by EU so the treaty isn't worth the paper it was written on

[lindabayliss]

Poach on our waters and we will sink them like the armada.

[adiadindas]

My ancestor is Adam and Eve. So I have the right to pick Mercedes from Germany, Wines from France, etc, which belongs to my ancestor my great great great great (multiplied it several times) grandparents. Also if EU wanted to use 1666 treaty they need to use the same boats and nets they used in 1666

Canada a small country could stop waters invasion from the Eu threat. Let alone the UK which is much larger and powerful than Canada.

Fishing water is not just about fishing but territorial water a symbol of a nation sovereignty. In the past water invasion would mean declaration of war. So the UK soft option is to send navy ship to sink them all.

[TTALWSWins]

Lmao so the uk controls the EU well we did win the war

[markillsley]

50 ships of the time, not super trawlers, and dress up like them as well of we will have a problem.

[keithwelton]

A few EU fishing boats given the same treatment Romanian Coastguard boats recently gave to a Turkish fishing boat that refused to obey them, they were sunk by gunfire.

[tracyb]

So that's 50 fishermen NOT BOATS and certainly NOT SUPER TRAWLERS - and they have to be from the city of Bruges, not the whole of Belgium - it also mentions nothing about unlimited catches - so get ready for BIG reductions in your quotas! So my message to Brussels - 'If you want to act like arse 'oles then please feel free to use the charter as toilet paper!'

[anneniliam]

OK but the right to fish for these 50 would count against any other quotas offered to Eu member states and be deducted from those. Imagine the situation French Danish & Spanish fishermen are told you can catch a total for EU vessels of let's say tons of fish but minus the 177, 000 tonnes, tons caught by chartered fishermen from Zebrugge because that counts against the total EU quota! Reckon that would go down really well! Anyone for EU unity?