European fisherman fear a unprecedented disaster in the continent’s waters once Britain take back control of their own waters.
Speaking to German channel DW, a group of Dutch fishermen said that Brexit would trigger the collapse of 50 per cent of their own fleet.
Tim Visser, who represents the Dutch fishing industry, said local economies could collapse if Dutch fishing fleets were forced to only fish in Dutch waters.
The concerns come as Michael Gove, environment secretary, reiterated Britain’s plans to take back control over UK waters after Brexit.
The European Union has managed a highly-regulated Fisheries Policy, much to the ire of British fishermen who have to share the country’s water with European competitors.
Mr Visser: “This is a disaster coming. This will have a huge impact on Europe, a very bad domino effect.
“If three fishing vessels were to stop in this city, everything would tumble and the economy would collapse.”
Fisherman Guido Betsema, who fishs in British waters 80 per cent of the year, said Brexit was “like a monster emerging from the depths”.
Mr Betsema, who has fished in British waters since he was a child alongside his father, said he feels like the UK are stealing his waters.
He said: “These are my waters! I know them like the back of my hand.”
He voiced his concern that colleagues are starting to return to Dutch waters, but that this was already becoming overcrowded.