A FISHERMAN has spoken of his despair after he and fishing families across the Morecambe Bay were told they would not be able to sell shellfish to France for months because of Brexit complications.

Steve Manning, from Flookburgh, is one of many fishermen who were told by the Department for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that due to a lack of proper paperwork they would not be able to continue selling cockles and mussels to France.

Latest advice on the Government’s website says that the matter will not be resolved until April 21.

“We’re basically shut down now,” said Mr Manning.

“We’re stuck.”

Live mussels from class B waters (Morecambe Bay) which require purification within the EU must now be accompanied with a specific health certificate, which has not yet been agreed on by EU member states.

Fishing families from Flookburgh, Newbiggin and Barrow rely heavily on the French market to earn a living from harvesting cockles and mussels from Morecambe Bay - with over 90 per cent of sales coming from the country.

In Cumbria: DRONE: Drone view of mussel fishing off Foulney  Picture: Tessa Bunney

This latest blow comes after already mounting pressures caused by the pandemic.

“The coronavirus already had quite a serious effect,” said Mr Manning.

“Already the quantities going to France and Spain were down.

“We sold no cockles to France for the first time in 20 years from September.

“And mussels are down, usually Morecambe Bay collectively, about 12 to 15 people, would be sending up to 30 tonnes a week.

“But now Brexit has shut us down, hopefully only temporarily.”

The fisherman is hopeful business will be up and running again later in the year but said in the meantime there is little for him and his peers to do until the paperwork is resolved.

“At this time of year there isn’t anything other than cockles and mussels,” he said.

“At the moment there is nothing.”

Around twelve of the families, including Mr Manning’s, can trace their roots to fishing back to the 1700s.

They are now worried the village’s main industry could be jeopardised by the delay.

“We are very worried,” added Mr Manning.