Not all fish in the Channel belong to the EU

A post on Facebook claims that “all fish in the English Channel belong to the EU”, and “all humans found in the English Channel belong to the UK”. 

But this isn’t true. The UK and EU both have their own fishing quotas, which means the UK is entitled to its own proportion of fishing stock in the Channel. 

While the UK does have a responsibility towards people in distress in the English Channel, and asylum seekers are entitled to support including accommodation, it is misleading to suggest that the EU does not also have an obligation towards people crossing the English Channel. 

False or misleading claims online have the potential to harm individuals, groups and democratic processes and institutions. Online claims can spread fast and far, and are difficult…