@dookie Said
In effect, at least as I see it, there is no actual "independence", at least in the real world....we live in a mutually interdependent world where co-operation and respect for each other needs to play the main part.
National independence and co-operating with other countries are hardly incompatible with one another.
@dookie Said
As Winston Churchill said, national sovereignty is not inviolable and may need to be surrendered in part if done for a greater good.
Interesting that you chose to quote Churchill, a man who fought tooth and nail to keep the Empire together. Maybe quoting him is appropriate as the EU is a little like it's own Empire, expecting the UK to surrender part of her sovereignty for the EU's greater good.
@dookie Said
Fishing is an emotive issue and seems to have a shadow across the Trade Negotiations far deeper than its economic worth.
True. Though in truth only 8 EU countries really care about the EU maintaining control over the UK's fisheries. These are headed by France. Macron has had a difficult 2 years and should he be seen to 'cave in' to the UK's outrageous position that, as an independent coastal state, they intend to take control of their fisheries then he would face considerable local backlash. There is a lot of simmering tension in France and it wouldn't take much to ignite nation wide protests which historically have led to riots. The yellow vests haven't gone away and one suspects they would be quick to support any action taken by French fishermen. The French fishermen themselves, though small in number, are well organised and highly militant. Macron simply can't afford to upset them and must be seen to be doing everything possible to maintain their access to the UK's fish stocks.
@dookie Said
we must needs look at the case of the Passenger Pigeon in the USA and their extinction. Once those birds darkened the sky in huge flocks. Unbridled economic driven capture brought extinction. The fact is that Cod - and other varieties of fish - were being overfished. Quotas had to be enforced to prevent virtual extinction. That is the bottom line. Exactly who fishes where is secondary.
I completely agree that quotas were and are necessary. I don't actually know of anyone who contends otherwise. Unfortunately the EU have failed miserably to protect fish stocks in their waters. If you would like to know more i would suggest that you read some of the articles published by organisations such as Greenpeace.
Now do I think the UK will do a better job in protecting fish in her EEZ than what the EU have done? I have no idea. I hope so but who knows. At least if it's just the UK government making and enforcing rules to protect fish stocks in her waters then it is clear where the buck stops, and if they get it wrong they can be held to account. This is one of the many issues with the EU and the CFP as they cannot, and are not, held to account for their failures.
Among the many issues with the CFP are:
* Communal management without particular responsibility
* A quota system based on lobby and barter
* Communal management without particular responsibility
* Political ambition in Brussels to drive for an integrated EU fleet system
Despite the failures of the CFP there has been a strong reluctance to end it as this would be seen as an EU failure or retreat. Not something Brussels can contemplate.
Anyway, the importance of preserving the world's marine life is one that should concern everyone. The CFP has been given a long time to get things right and failed. The UK at least now have the opportunity to try something different, something better. That is assuming they don't sell out to the EU.
Just on fishing and recently the EU announced that French, Spanish and Italian fishermen would have their fishing days and quotas in the Mediterranean reduced by 15%. This is in response to a directive from the GFCM, which predates the EU and the CFP and is the ultimate authority in the Mediterranean re marine resources and aquaculture. Fair to say that the fishing industries in the aforementioned EU member states are none to happy. Yet another reason why they demand the EU maintain control over the UK's fisheries.
Now if after December 31 the EU still controlled fishing in the UK's EEZ it wouldn't be hard to imagine an outcome where UK quotas were cut further in order to provide some relief for French, Spanish and Italian fishermen who are facing reduced fishing in the Mediterranean.