Jersey fishermen's rage at Guernsey authority's "arrogance and foolishness"

Friday 21 August 2015

Guernsey has "stuck two fingers up" at Jersey fishermen in refusing them access to historic fishing grounds extending just five miles from Grosnez, according to the industry’s spokesman.

And now Don Thompson, the president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, wants the UK to put pressure on Guernsey to create Channel Islands’ waters instead of separate zones.

And it’s likely that Guernsey and the UK will soon have to sit around the table. Recently, the UK’s Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs suspended a formal ‘fish management agreement’ between the two jurisdictions over Guernsey’s refusal to adhere to EU catch-limits for skates and rays.

Guernsey fishermen could, in theory, carry on regardless but the UK is also refusing to issue any licences to Guernsey vessels – which severely restrict the fishermen’s ability to buy and sell boats.

And Guernsey’s isolation is compounded by its on going spat with Jersey fishermen, who now have had to obtain licences to fish within 12 miles of Guernsey’s shores, which actually comes within five miles of Grosnez.

“It’s hard to see how the current situation can continue,” said Mr Thompson. “This isn’t just about us fishing in waters that have been regarded as ‘Channel Island’ waters for generations, there are stock management issues too.

“Our Environment Minister [Deputy Steve Luce] is about to bring in a law that introduces catch-limits on certain species. What’s the point of saying you can only land bass over 42 cm if Guernsey fisherman can catch any size. They’d be picking up the ones we have to throw back.

“Guernsey have stuck two fingers up and it just smacks of arrogance and, quite frankly, foolishness.”

Jersey fishermen have the backing of former Assistant Environment Minister Carolyn Labey – who used to have political responsibility for fishing.

The Grouville Deputy wants Jersey ministers to lobby the UK to allow Jersey back into Guernsey waters. She also wants Jersey to be included in any new fisheries management agreement that Defra signs.

This week the ban imposed by the UK government was lifted and DEFRA has said Guernsey's fleet can work UK and EU waters while talks continue over quotas.