Militant French fishermen threatened to blockade Channel ferry ports last night in a mounting dispute over access to scallop stocks. The ultimatum came after 40 French vessels attacked a fleet of eight British boats with flares and rocks in international waters. British fishermen have called for Royal Navy protection to stop further attempts to prevent them fishing for the highly prized mollusc in Seine Bay, off the coast of Normandy. Conflict: A British fishing trawler (not pictured) suspected of illegally dredging scallops was ordered into a French port today and her crew threatened with prison.This picture shows French and British boats during the first clash last year
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Brits say they need Royal Navy protection after clash off Normandy on Monday
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Fleet of 40 French boats had surrounded around 12 British boats
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