Final French Fishing Licences Issued

Only five French fishing boats currently on a temporary licence will be allowed to remain using Jersey waters after the end of January.

It means 33 others currently on temporary licences will have to stop fishing off the island's coast before the 1st February 2022.

It brings the total number of EU fishing vessels granted Jersey fishing licences to 130.

Earlier this week, Jersey's Environment Minister expressed an urge to move on from the issue of licence numbers, and discuss how to enforce their conditions like the kind of equipment fishing vessels can use, and how many days at sea they are allowed.

Enforcing those 'nature and extent' clauses were suspended while negotiations over the number of licences issued were ongoing.

Seven applications from Jersey fishing vessels to use EU waters are currently being reviewed.

Deputy John Young says the issue has been resolved following discussions between Jersey, the UK and the European Commission:

"These five vessels were in the ‘temporary’ licensing category, where some limited data had been provided. Thanks to the cooperation between Jersey, the European Commission and UK Government, further data has now been received and the technical exercise can be brought to a conclusion.

Jersey's Envrionment Minister, Deputy John Young

"As a result, I can grant these vessels permanent licences according to the evidence requirements under the TCA. This brings the total number of permanent licenses issued to French vessels to 130. It is also important that we will see Jersey’s seven applications determined."

He adds that there are still further discussions needed though:

"We can now begin the important work of progressing the nature and extent of fishing in our waters as set out in the TCA, including by these vessels; confirming what species fishermen are permitted to catch, the period they can do so, and the measures required to conserve our fish stocks."