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GV Tower Bridge in London opening
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GV Fishing boats with protest banners passing under bridge (2 shots)
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GV Traffic held up because of bridge being opened
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GVs Fishing boats and trawlers on river
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GV Banners on boats calling for 50 mile exclusive fishing zone
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: More than 60 fishing vessels sailed up the Thames River in London on Tuesday (14 June). They were taking part in a colourful protest against Common Market policies.

SYNOPSIS: They sailed passed the Tower of London towards the House of Parliament to bring home the message that fish is a natural resource as vital to Britain as North Sea oil and gas. The fishermen are angry and say Parliament has stopped the Common Market controlling offshore oil, but it hasn't done the same for fishing. Traffic was held up as the Tower Bridge was opened to let the boats go through.

The vessels came from all over Britain to take part in the protest which was organised by the British Fishing Industry. The Industry wants a 50-mile exclusive fishing zone for British trawlers instead of the present six-mile zone. Fishermen claim that if that's not implemented the waters will soon be fished-out.

Their protest comes two weeks before EEC ministers meet in Luxembourg to discuss proposals which could result in other Common Market vessel fishing up the British coast from 1982. The fishermen say they're determined that they will not allow this to happen and are equally determined to get the exclusive zone.