The starting point of this new conflict between French and Spanish fishermen is called the “Gabrielle”. Here, this name is not that of an angel but of a boat. More precisely, a French tuna boat, originally from the island of Yeuwhich was attacked on July 16, 1994, by Spanish fishermen off the coast of Galicia.
Net fishing
“The Spanish attack”. Article published on July 17, 1994.
South West Archives
If the Spanish use violence and sabotage, it is to oppose the fishing with nets used…
The starting point of this new conflict between French and Spanish fishermen is called the “Gabrielle”. Here, this name is not that of an angel but of a boat. More precisely, a French tuna boat, originally from the island of Yeuwhich was attacked on July 16, 1994, by Spanish fishermen off the coast of Galicia.
Net fishing
“The Spanish attack”. Article published on July 17, 1994.
South West Archives
If the Spanish are using violence and sabotage, it is to oppose the net fishing used by French sailors. According to the Spanish, their neighbors are using nets of dimensions prohibited by European Union regulations. Accusations that the French completely deny. At the time, Mr. Blancho, president of the French Tuna Fishing Commission, had a completely different opinion on the matter: “The Spanish simply want to prevent French fishermen from fishing with nets by force. They are at a disadvantage with their rods and live bait because, unfortunately for them, 98% of French boats are in compliance.”
Spanish fishermen want ‘gillnets’ banned
South West Archives
A similar conflict in April 1994
This net war follows violent clashes that took place between fishermen from both countries in April 1994. A French trawler, the “Laetitia”, was taken hostage with its crew and taken to Hondarribia following an operation carried out off the Landes coast by sixty Spanish boats against twelve French trawlers. The crew of the “Laetitia”, molested and threatened with death by a hostile crowd, took refuge during the night in the premises of the Guardia Civil in Irun, Spain. The five crew members said on their return to France that they feared for their lives.
The Spanish refuse to return the “Gabrielle”
A few days after the attack on the “Gabrielle”, the Spanish refused to return the tuna boat to the authorities in Madrid. In accordance with the agreement concluded on Monday in Brussels between Paris and Madrid, the “Gabrielle” was to be returned to its fleet. Faced with this refusal, negotiations were opened between the fishermen and the Secretary of State for the Sea, but early in the afternoon, faced with the fishermen’s refusal to return the boat, the patrol boats of the “Armada” withdrew from the area.
The Spanish do not disarm. Article published on July 20, 1994.
South West Archives
The “Gabrielle” ransacked and looted
After heated negotiations, and the anger of Édouard Balladur in the Council of Ministers, “demanding the immediate return of the boat”, describing the matter as “extremely serious”, the Spanish fishermen handed the boat over to the Spanish authorities. It was to be returned to France without delay, but while the tuna boat was being towed off the Bay of Biscay, in international waters, a major leak occurred, forcing the convoy to turn back to the nearest port, in this case Geleiro, in Galicia.
The “Gabrielle” ransacked and looted. Article published on July 25, 1994.
South West Archives
It was not until July 24, 1994 that the “Gabrielle” returned to its home on the island of Yeu. A complicated return for a boat that had been completely ransacked and pillaged. A restitution that did not calm the anger of French fishermen, given the deplorable state of the tuna boat.
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The Spanish blockade of Hendaye
Blockade of the port of Hendaye by Spanish fishermen in July 1994.
South West Archives
The Spanish were also furious and demanded that drift nets used by French fishermen be definitively and completely banned. To make themselves heard, a new plan was put into action: after the scuttling, the blockade. On July 26, 1994, Spanish fishermen decided to block the commercial ports along the entire Cantabrian coast, as well as the border port of Hendaye.
Jendaye under blockade. Article published on July 27, 1994.
South West Archives
The port of Hendaye liberated
It was not until July 30, four days after the start of the conflict, that the Spanish liberated Hendaye. A departure without violence, decided after very bitter discussions, between Spanish fishermen and administration on the one hand, and between fishermen themselves.
Hendaye regains its freedom. Article published on July 31, 1994.
South West Archives
The Hendaye fishermen are extremely relieved by this decision, but also very angry at having been targeted. Indeed, in the port of Hendaye, the fishermen are not directly concerned by this conflict, not using the same technique as the Vendéens to fish for tuna.
