More than 40 French boats given green light to fish in Guernsey waters

Wednesday 01 December 2021

Guernsey has agreed that 43 French boats can keep fishing in its waters out of nearly 60 that applied.

The licences - 40 of which were issued today, while three are on their way - will give the vessels permission to continue operating in Bailiwick waters after interim arrangements with the European Union cease on 31 January 2022.

All the licences issued are to vessels based at ports in Brittany or Normandy. EU vessels without licences will be unable to fish legally in Bailiwick waters from 1 February.

The island's government decided to give the 43 vessels licences after analysing the fishing and catch history of 58 boats featured on a list provided by the European Commission.

The vessels with licences will be allowed to fish within the 6-12 nautical mile belt, which is made up of the area formerly covered by the London Fisheries Convention and the Sark Box.

Discussions are ongoing about various technical issues ahead of the new licensing regime coming into effect on 1 February. 

Until then, the interim arrangement which was necessary when the UK withdrew from the EU will continue to apply. The interim arrangement allows 167 French vessels to work in Bailiwick waters. 

Meanwhile, 118 French boats have been given permanent licences to fish in Jersey's waters, and several other applications remain in dispute.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq (pictured top), Guernsey's External Relations Lead, said that issuing the licences was "a significant milestone" and demonstrated that "the Bailiwick is starting to exercise the new powers and control over our territorial waters...which we were not able to exercise in the same way when the UK was a member of the EU".

"We are now keen to progress discussions on 'extent and nature' and replacement vessels at the earliest opportunity," said Deputy Le Tocq. "We value our good relationships with Normandy, Brittany and La Manche, and I hope that today’s announcement provides welcome certainty and stability in this new era of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

"We look forward to continuing to work with our regional partners on other important projects of mutual interest, not least the survey for a possible direct electricity connection between Guernsey and France.”

Pictured: Deputy Neil Inder, the President of the Committee for Economic Development, said that issuing licences now would provide a satisfactory period of adjustment before the new licensing regime comes into effect on 1 February 2022.

Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: “It is important that we maintain a stable and predictable economic relationship for the fishing industry in and around the Bailiwick. While some technical discussions are still ongoing between the UK and the EU, the Committee was keen to implement licensing in accordance with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement as soon as possible.

"At the same time, by allowing a two-month period between the issue of the licences and these taking effect on 1 February 2022 – during which the existing interim arrangements will remain – we are providing fishermen with plenty of time to prepare and adjust.

"Licensees will be expected to report all catch arising from Bailiwick waters. This is important, as it will allow us to monitor access under the Agreement.

"We now look forward to working with our neighbours on resuming access to the port of Diélette, so that Bailiwick fishermen can once again land their catch safely there, at the earliest possible opportunity."