GENE RANDALL, CNN ANCHOR: In France, fishermen protesting high fuel prices have mounted a blockade of key ports and taken their cause into the streets. The result: a major mess on both sides of the English Channel. John Draper has our report.</s>JOHN DRAPER, ITN REPORTER (voice-over): The port of Calais was this evening at a complete standstill, with nothing going in or out as a fleet of French fishing vessels blockaded the entrance. It was the same at Boulogne, Dunkirk, St. Malo, and Cherbourg (ph). The authority stood by as a handful of fishermen, angry at the price of petrol, brought most of their country's ports to a total halt. Some fishermen dumped the leftovers from gutted fish across roads. Others rolled metal barrels into the streets to block them. The combined effect of sea and road blockades was massive congestion at major routes around the French ports and frustration for travelers.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It seems ridiculous, disrupting everyone, just for their own sake really. I think it's the wrong thing to do.</s>DRAPER: On the English side of the channel, ferries to France were canceled. Though some were diverted to Saybruger (ph) in Belgium, with passengers having a longer journey time and an extra drive back down to France. (on camera): The question people are asking on both sides of the channel is, how long is this going to last? The failure by P&O; to get a court injunction against the fisherman in Boulogne has added further uncertainty. Now the hope is that the French government will act. (voice-over): In the meantime the ferries to France are laid up, and no one knows for how long. John Draper, ITN, Dover.
In France, Fishermen Protesting High Fuel Prices Have Mounted Blockade of Key Ports