Related: NOAA Says No to Fisherman
"Fishermen in France block ports on Channel" by Associated Press | April 16, 2009
PARIS - .... The blockade of Calais, Dunkirk, and Boulogne-sur-Mer was the latest display of frustration by workers in France, who have sequestered bosses, marched through Paris, and gone on hunger strike in recent weeks and months to protest the economic downturn.
Trawlers blocked ships from entering or leaving the ports. Passengers and freight trucks seeking to cross the channel to England stayed overnight in the ports after the blockade began Tuesday.
The fishermen are protesting catch quotas they call too low for them to earn a living. They say they plan to continue blocking the northern French ports. The European Union sets annual quotas in an effort to protect and revive dwindling fish stocks. Member nations negotiate each country's share of the total catch....
The French government said it might consider providing financial support to the fishing industry, but called the quotas reasonable....
--more--"Update: French fishermen call off blockade
