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The threat of French fishermen blockading ports to stop Guernseymen landing their catch on the continent has ceased, meaning catches by Guernsey fishing vessels can be landed in France again safely.
The situation first arose after the UK left the EU last Friday, entering a transition period as Brexit negotiations continue.
The whole situation was fully defused yesterday by Guernsey Politicians who quickly cooperated with France to get a new authorisation regime in place to allow French vessels in to Bailiwick waters.
The Regional Fishing Committee in Normandy (CRPMEM) has confirmed that the blockade threatened by some French boats to Bailiwick landings in France (including Cherbourg and Dielette) has now been removed. Before there had been any unofficial action in France, Guernsey’s government had indicated that it would act quickly to ensure that the so-called‘SMEFF' authorisations’ were in place this week.
Pictured: France only approached Guernsey at the last minute to try and sort the situation out.
In reality, this saw the local government putting in place a system that stopped France from breaking EU laws.
"There was little time to respond to this very last minute request from the French Government to deliver a SMEFF authorisation regime, but we delivered on the political commitments we made to assist the French in resolving this problem," Deputy Gavin St Pier said. "I am pleased that it has been confirmed that the unofficial threats to Bailiwick vessels have been removed. However, such threats of action by some French vessels must be condemned when we had already committed to delivering the authorisation regime.
"Any such action would be counterproductive for everyone, not least because it would force our own fishermen to find other markets. Our ability to respond fast and deliver a solution that protects our interests is evidence of ourpreparedness for Brexit, and the forthcoming negotiations.”
Deputy Charles Parkinson added: "Our response to this last minute issue raised by France has demonstrated our ability to react quickly to threats and manage this issue by working closely with the French national and regional fishing authorities. We have delivered on our word by implementing the SMEFF authorisation regime this week. While this regime is only temporary until the end of this year, it will ensure we are able to think about our future economic relationship, including fishing, on a basis of a stable footing. We are already considering what we want from our future relationship, on fishing and the wider economy, as the UK and EU negotiations commence.”
Pictured top: Cherbourg.
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