Hopes for calmer waters after final touches put to French fishing licences

Tuesday 31 January 2023

Forty four French fishing boats have been fully licensed for local waters as final touches are put to post-Brexit arrangements.

Disagreements over the new regime has led to Guernsey boats being prevented from landing catches in Diélette, with hopes expressed this will help ease access again, as well as threats to scupper plans for a new electricity cable link or even cut power from the existing supply line.

Licences for 41 vessels setting out who could access Bailiwick waters were already in place, but these did not stipulate the type and amount of fishing they could do.

Under the conditions of the new licences, boats will be able to fish using the same gear for the same overall level of effort that evidence shows they did in the past. 

“It is important that we maintain a stable and predictable economic relationship for the fishing industry in and around the Bailiwick,” said Economic Development President Deputy Neil Inder.

“The work that has been carried out in developing the new ‘extent and nature’ and replacement vessel policies will provide certainty for everyone as to how the new regime will operate, and I would like to express my thanks to officers who have worked hard to reach this conclusion. 

Pictured: Deputy Neil Inder.

“We will continue to work closely with our neighbours as these new policies come into force and we now look forward to working with our neighbours on resuming access to the port of Diélette, so that Bailiwick fishermen can once again land their catch safely and conveniently there, at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The licences will be valid for two years, from 1 February 2023 until 31 January 2025, following which they will be automatically renewed.

Most boats will be pooling their allowances and when all the days are used up, the relevant fishery will be closed.

Smaller boats where it has not been possible to establish a track record will fish under a maximum allowance of fishing gear that they can set at any one time in the relevant Bailiwick waters. This will apply to two boats under 12 metres.

Pictured: In May 2021 dozens of French fishing boats blockaded Jersey's harbour in a protest over licensing.

A policy has also been confirmed for transferring licences when a vessel is replaced, which is what took the total number of vessels licenced to 44.

Policy & Resources external relations lead Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq said that the policies which take effect on 1 February represent the final step in the process.

“We greatly value our good relationships with Normandy, Brittany, La Manche and Ille et Vilaine and I hope that today’s announcement provides welcome certainty and stability in this new era of the TCA [UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement].

“We look forward to continuing to work with our regional partners on other important strategic projects of mutual interest, including greater cooperation in the supply of electricity through new submarine cables and delimitation of our maritime boundaries.”

Jersey has issued 136 permanent permits.