Macduff Shellfish vessel caught in post Brexit fishing row released by French authorities
The scallop dredger Cornelis Gert Jan left Le Havre fishing port after being held there since last week.
A trawler owned by an Aberdeenshire based firm has been released by French authorities after being caught in the middle of a post-Brexit fishing row.
The scallop dredger Cornelis Gert Jan, which is owned by Macduff Shellfish, left Le Havre fishing port after being held there since last week.
France accused it of fishing in its waters without a proper licence.
Video footage showed the blue, white and red trawler departing the quayside after dusk.
Macduff Shellfish Director Andrew Brown says they are delighted with the update.
He said: "We have just been informed that the our vessel, the Cornelis Gert Jan, has been released by the French authorities.
"The Court determined that no bond was required for the release of the vessel.
"We are pleased to have this matter resolved and delighted that our crew and vessel are now able to return home.
"The crew have acted with calmness and professionalism throughout the entire incident.
"They are in good spirits, looking forward to return to their loved ones and are grateful for all the messages of support received from the British public."
The ruling came after the boat's captain, Jondy Ward, appeared at the Court of Appeal in Rouen earlier on Wednesday.
"If it goes right we'll get out of here today," the Irish skipper told reporters after the hearing.
Mr Ward explained that French maritime police detained the trawler last week for not being on a European register when it was fishing off the Normandy coast.