Gibraltar protest: In pictures

Spanish fishermen gather in their fishing boats during a protest at an area of the sea where an artificial reef was built by Gibraltar using concrete blocks, in Algeciras bay, La Linea de la Concepcion in southern Spain — Image caption,
Spanish fishermen gathered for the protest off Gibraltar at the spot where 70 concrete blocks were dropped into the sea to create an artificial reef.

Spanish fishermen wave Spanish flags during a protest in the bay of Algeciras

The reef has sparked heightened tensions between Gibraltar and Spain in recent weeks, as Spanish fishermen say it restricts their right to fish while the British territory says the waters belong to it and they should not be fishing there.

Spanish fishermen protest in the bay of Algeciras

Chief Inspector Castle Yates, of the Royal Gibraltar Police, said "about 38 Spanish fishing boats and seven or eight pleasure craft" were involved in the protest. He said they crossed into Gibraltarian waters where police and the Royal Navy set up a cordon and "corralled" them.

Men wave Spanish national flags during a protest by Spanish fishermen at the site where an artificial reef was built by Gibraltar with concrete blocks

Back on shore onlookers, including media crews and supporters of the Spanish fishermen, watched as those in protest boats tried unsuccessfully - according to Gibraltarian police - to breach the cordon.

A member of the Spanish Civil Guard tries to calm down a Spanish fisherman (not pictured) in his fishing boat taking part in a protest

The protest lasted for about an hour and saw a heavy police presence, including three large Royal Gibraltar Police boats and the same number of large Spanish Civil Guard boats, along with a number of smaller law enforcement speed boats.

A Spanish Civil Guard boat collides with a Gibraltar police boat as a protest took place

Reuters news agency said this image showed a Spanish Civil Guard boat colliding with a Gibraltar police boat while the protest took place.

Leoncio Fernandez, head of the La Linea fishermen, held a red flare to mark the end of the demonstration.

Leoncio Fernandez, head of fishermen from the nearby port of La Linea, held a red flare to mark the end of the demonstration. At its close, Gibraltar's chief minister Fabian Picardo sent a tweet praising Gibraltar and UK authorities for their "cool, professional and calm" approach to the morning's events.

A cloud partially covers the tip of the Rock of the British territory of Gibraltar at sunrise

Gibraltar has been under British rule since 1713 - but Spain disputes UK sovereignty over the rocky outcrop. In recent years the dispute has centred on fishing rights, with both sides claiming jurisdiction over the waters off the Rock.

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