Anglers say Commercial Quay rules are "un-Alderney like"

Tuesday 05 October 2021

An Alderney resident has criticised a States decision to close its Commercial Quay to most vehicles during the Angling Festival.

Hundreds of people from the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, and Alderney compete in the annual festival, which is marking its 35th anniversary this year.

The event started on Saturday and will come to a conclusion this weekend. It has so far been hampered by high winds and rain, with a decision made for "health and safety" proving unpopular with those taking part.  

Harbour officials say there are ports directives and legal requirements that need to be followed. 

“Anglers who have paid huge sums of money to participate are still barred from the Commercial Quay with their vehicles and all their gear even when there is no commercial activity,” said David Nash.

“The Quay has always provided a meeting point for anglers from all the islands to mix, mingle and renew old friendships.

“This year it appears we have been banned, except if we are infirm, disabled, and the harbour staff are on watch. Every visitor and local angler I've spoken to has said it is preposterous in the extreme.”

Pictured: Mr Nash is concerned that sticking rigidly to the rules is ruining the festival atmosphere.

Mr Nash said the decision has led some people to fish along the breakwater.

“With nowhere else to go they were attempting to fish on the Breakwater when there was every possibility of a south westerly gale throwing huge waves over the top at half tide,” he wrote in a letter to the States of Alderney. 

Up until the appointment of John Taylor as Alderney’s new Harbourmaster in 2019, Mr Nash said the gates were always kept unlocked and residents and competitors alike could drive up the Commercial Quay to fish.

The Harbour Office has taken a stronger stance on Health and Safety in recent years and it now remains closed, even during ‘off-hours’. However, less able fishers are allowed to drive in as long as they are accompanied by a member of staff.

"I am assured by the Harbour Master the gate to allow fishers on foot to access the quay was open,” said the Chairman of the General Services Committee, Boyd Kelly.

“In addition, an extra member of staff was on duty last night to allow access to those fishers who are less able and needed vehicular access. The Harbour Master and his staff have endeavoured this week to allow access to the less mobile fishers and prevent the placing of 'rogue pots' in the harbour that were causing a problem for the fishing festival.”

Pictured: The States of Alderney has invited access to the Quay at night, but only on foot.

The Commercial Quay does remain accessible to all by foot, With an access gate open out of hours.

“The Harbour Office and the General Services Committee both recognise how important this event is to the local community," said Mr Kelly.

Despite this, Mr Nash said it isn’t “Alderney-like” to enforce restrictions at the Quay. 

“Please can you lean on your friends in the Harbour office and have the gates open after working hours for the rest of the week, and hopefully for the foreseeable future, as it used to be before our tiny harbour started following ‘International Port Directives’,” he wrote, in an email to Mr Kelly.