Olivier Leprêtre, president of the regional fisheries committee of Hauts-de-France, accused Dutch vessels of having snatched traps from French vessels last week. In the latest incident in a long row over English Channel fishing rights, Express.co.uk understands around 600 traps were taken from the port city of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

       An industry source said: “It’s controversial this, the Dutch pitching our supplies.

       “It demonstrates a complete lack of respect for other countries.”

       Regional fishing chiefs in Hauts-de-France are becoming increasingly concerned about the presence of Dutch vessels in the English Channel.

       They stress they are a threat to French vessels who see them as serious competition due to the use of unsustainable fishing practices.

       One common practice known as fly-shooting or pulse fishing involves using multiple nets to encircle and capture shoals of fish.

       Heavy ropes are dragged across the ocean floor which will displace whatever is underneath.

       Mr Leprêtre claimed Boulogne-sur-Mer was seeing "the invasion of the Dutch industrial fleet", who are "overexploiting the resources of the English Channel".

       FOR THE LATEST BREXIT NEWS, SEE BELOW:

       9am update: PM announces new trade envoys to boost British business

       Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appointed ten new trade envoys who will boost British business in dynamic markets such as Australia, Brazil and Canada.

       The Trade Envoys, who include including Lord Botham, David Mundell MP and Conor Burns MP will use their skills, experience, and market knowledge to help UK businesses find new export and investment opportunities and promote UK trade in their allocated market.？

       The Government already has Trade Envoys in more than 60 countries, drawn from a cross-section of parties, with Baroness Hoey, Stephen Timms MP, Lord Walney and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP also being appointed in this round.

       8am update: Jim Sillars says Sturgeon made mistake in Brexit campaign

       Former SNP depute leader Jim Sillars has argued Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon made a mistake in her campaign against Brexit that could reverberate in any future independence campaign.

       Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly used the majority of Scots who voted to stay in the EU as proof Scotland has been dragged out of the bloc against its will, but Mr Sillars claims "rejecting the result because they didn't like it, the nationalists invite the same conduct by unionists in any future ballot on independence".

       He also suggested in his new book, entitled A Difference Of Opinion: My Political Journey, that the Scottish First Minister's initial support for a second, confirmatory referendum on Brexit could lead to similar calls being made if Scotland votes for independence.