"This is not about choosing between conservation and fishing"

Friday, 28 August 2026 07:00

By Harry Booth

The amount of Jersey's territorial waters protected from dredging and trawling will more than triple from next week (Tuesday 1 September).

The Marine Protected Area Network currently covers 6.5% of territorial waters - but from Tuesday 1 September, it will increase to 21.7%.

It was approved earlier this year, with an extra 1.9% approved to come into effect from 2030.

It's aimed at protecting some of Jersey's most ecologically important marine habitats, while supporting the long-term sustainability of the island's marine environment and fishing industry.

The move has been described as a major milestone in delivering Jersey's Marine Spatial Plan, and protects sensitive biodiverse shallow reefs, as well as OSPAR-listed marine habitats such as maerl beds, seagrass meadows, and kelp habitats.

Photo Credit Dr Jose M. Farinas-Franco

Environment Minister, Senator Mary Le Hegarat, said:

"Jersey's seas are one of the Island's greatest natural assets. Expanding our Marine Protected Area network is a significant step towards protecting the habitats that support marine life, biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.

"These measures are evidence-led, have been developed through extensive consultation and form an important part of our long-term vision for the management of Jersey's marine environment."

It's hoped that by reducing disturbance in more sensitive areas, it will improve habitat resilience and support healthy marine ecosystems.

Head of Marine Resources, Francis Binney, said:

"A healthy marine environment and a successful fishing industry go hand in hand.

"Protecting important habitats today helps ensure that Jersey's waters remain productive and biologically rich in the future. At the same time, we recognise the challenges facing the fishing industry and are committed to working with fishers to build a resilient and economically sustainable sector."

"This is not about choosing between conservation and fishing. It is about ensuring that Jersey continues to have both healthy seas and a successful fishing industry for decades to come."

The government said the impacts of this will continue to be monitored, and that it will work with the fishing industry to support adaptation to the new fishing areas.