The Saint Josse came into Whitby on Thursday, allegedly carrying nearly 13 tonnes of fish to be sold at market.

Some Whitby boats are currently restricted from catching fish as their quotas for the year were stopped last week and one fisherman has warned it could be a very lean six months.

Richard Brewer (54) has spent decades fishing out of Whitby and currently operates the trawler Copious.

“The timing of this could not be worse,” he said.

“We have just had our white fish quotas for the year stopped and then this boat turns up with 13 tonnes of fish we can’t catch.

“There has been a lot of bad feeling among the fisherman to say the least. We were promised by the government that there wouldn't be this French invasion or Spanish invasion into out waters but this could be what we have feared.

“It is absolutely disgusting and if this boat gets a fair price at market then others will come. This could just be the beginning.”

White fish make up between 50-60% of the Whitby fleets catch in both volume and value and the quotas for the last six months of a year were stopped by the government last week.

Cod and mackerel caught and sold in Whitby by the Saint Josse would have to be thrown overboard if it was brought on board a Whitby trawler.

This added with the price of fuel for the trawlers, which has nearly doubled, means the fishing industry in the town is facing an uncertain future.

Mr Brewer said he is hopeful the government will be able to secure the boats some more time at sea.

“Hopefully the government will be able to do a deal to get us some more quotas so we can return to sea or it will be a very baron few months if we cannot get them species,” he said.

However, Arnold Locker, of Lockers Trawlers Ltd, welcomed the use of Whitby by foreign vessels.

“These vessels are fishing 20 miles off Whitby’s coast and it is stupid them going down to Grimsby to sell as we are better off having them putting money into Whitby through harbour dues and what not.

“I understand how the skippers feel, with the timing of the visit but this is something I have been working towards for 18 months. These boats will land the fish regardless so I welcome them with open arms.”

Quotas were brought into to help protect fish numbers following years of decline but campaigners on both sides of the argument believe the system is flawed, with some saying it does not go far enough and others saying it is madness to force fishermen to throw back dead fish if they exceed the quota.