Jersey seeks to close illegal fishing loophole

Tuesday 20 April 2021

States Members are being asked to agree to new legislation to tighten its controls on illegal fishing.

If passed, the island will bring in new regulations to tackle ‘illegal, unreported and unregulated’ fishing.

Although ‘IUU’ fishing is not thought to take place in Jersey’s territorial waters, the legislation is necessary post-Brexit.

Importantly, the new legislation put forward by the Environment Minister - which sets out a number of fishing offences and lays out the powers of fisheries officers - allows Jersey fishermen and merchants to continue to land and trade into France.

The Government says that if IUU measures aren’t introduced, there is a potential for exploitation of a loophole where 'third-country' vessels - those outside of the UK, the EU or Crown Dependencies - could land catches in Jersey which could then be exported to the UK or France.

Pictured: From 1 July, Jersey takes back full control of the management of its territorial waters, which will be policed by the Government's newly-upgraded fisheries protection vessel, Norman Le Brocq.

“Resolving this aspect at this time will give the necessary reassurance to the UK, EU and international bodies that Jersey is meeting international standards in prevention of IUU fishing," a report accompanying the legislation proposals says.

“Further, from a reputational perspective it is important to ensure that Jersey is not seen as a potential backdoor or weak spot in relation to the financial controls over IUU fishing, in respect to ownership of vessels, insurance, and other services which may be offered to vessels and operators engaged in IUU fishing.”

Recently, French boats have been extensively dredging for scallops off the south and west of Jersey, angering Jersey fishermen and Environment Minister Deputy John Young.

He accused the French of “breaking the spirit” of an amnesty - which ends next Friday for boats over 30m - that was introduced to help boats adjust to the post Brexit regime.

Pictured: French boats have recently been dredging for scallops off the south and west of Jersey.

However, these boats all held licences under the old Bay of Granville Agreement, so were not operating illegally.

From 1 May, boats over 30m will only be allowed to fish in Jersey’s territorial waters if they have been issued a licence by the Environment Minister. 

To receive one, boats have to demonstrate that they have fished within the Island’s waters - which stretch out to 12 miles - on more than ten days in any of the three years between 1 February 2017 and 31 January 2020.

For boats under 30m, the new Jersey-controlled regime comes into force on 1 July. After that, Jersey will have full control of the management of its fisheries.