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Anger as UK factory boats allowed to fish in Guernsey waters

OUTRAGE has erupted over a decision to grant licences to two English factory fishing vessels.

Anger as UK factory boats allowed to fish in Guernsey waters
Anger as UK factory boats allowed to fish in Guernsey waters / Guernsey Press

The two ships, Wiron Five and Six, were issued with permits to fish within Guernsey waters by the Commerce and Employment Department. It is not known when they will arrive.

The British flag-flying vessels are 1,227 gross tonnes each.

The decision to allow the vessels into the 12-mile limit has met with strong opposition on the Guernsey Sea Fisheries section's Facebook page, where fierce debate erupted, with some posts using strong language.

Steve Brouard wanted to know how the licences were granted and why the boats cannot fish elsewhere.

'How can they do that with new boats. What right do they have when they cannot fish in their own 12-mile, so what right do they have in ours?'

Guernsey Fisherman's Association president Dougal Lane, pictured, said the boats were not as big as previous vessels used by the company.

'Quite a few people are upset and thought they were 20 metres larger, but in fact they are smaller and use EU-compliant gas. I have been in touch with Sea Fisheries and it will make no difference to stocks.'

Sea Fisheries said all licences granted to UK and Jersey fishing vessels had to show 'they had a historical track record of fishing within Bailiwick waters between 15 May 2007 and 15 May 2010, which these boats did.