The European Union yesterday imposed a record €20m fine on France for flouting EU rules aimed at protecting Europe's dwindling fish stocks.

The Luxembourg-based European Court of Justice also decided to couple the €20m ($24m, £14m) fine with a penalty of €57.8m every six months until France can demonstrate that it is complying with the EU fisheries rules. The move was unprecedented and could herald a tougher response to cases of European governments violating EU legislation.