Clotaire Achi and Layli Foroudi

CALAIS, France, (Reuters) – French fisherman Loic Fontaine wants to finalize a sale of his boat. The vessel cannot continue to make a living after it was cut off by Brexit.

Fontaine has however decided to wait to sign away his boat until after France and Britain resolve the row about fishing licenses. This week’s dispute brought them to the brink trade sanctions. France, on its part, reacted.

“The English are stubborn, they won’t let go … it is better to stay friendly and to find a compromise,” the 45-year-old told Reuters from the port of Calais on Tuesday afternoon after a day fishing just 30 minutes from the coast to make sure he did not stray into British waters.

“If we start a naval war, it won’t end.”

Tensions rose after the arrest of a British ship at Le Havre. France stated that they would increase inspections on British trucks and produce, as well as preventing British trawlers from docking in French ports.

France has accused Britain of failing to honor a post-Brexit agreement on British fishing grounds access. Britain is now given until Thursday to find a solution.

Thirty five licences have been granted to fishing boats in the Hauts-de-France region of northern France and Fontaine’s boat, the Sainte Catherine Labouré, is one of 45 boats that is still waiting, according to a French tally.

Fontaine believes that these talks will be his final chance at a licensing to operate in British waters. Fontaine’s profits dropped by 60% this year compared with previous years.

“(Now) we are all fishing in the same zone and it is getting less because we are going for the same resource – at some point we won’t get anything,” he said.

Gaetan Delsart, a fisherman from Boulogne sur-Mer is getting ready for the next few months to see his catch go beyond his reach.

Fontaine is also counting on Fontaine to find a quick solution to their differences so that they can continue working together.

“I will hang up the keys in less than a year I think,” says the 35-year-old, who missed out on a licence as he did not have the approved tracking equipment installed on his boat to show he fished in British waters before 2016.

However, even if the boat has to be sold, he remains pessimistic that it would fetch a reasonable price. He stated, “Who would purchase a boat without a license?”