Skip to main content

Largest fishing boats now subject to quota controls

THE six largest vessels in Guernsey's fishing fleet will be subject to quota controls as a result of a deal made to reinstate the fisheries management agreement.

Largest fishing boats now subject to quota controls
Largest fishing boats now subject to quota controls / Guernsey Press

Those boats are out of a fleet of around 150.

The deal was struck between the States and the Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) following a dispute over quotas.

The States has agreed to introduce a provision in Bailiwick fishing licences which means all vessels over 10 metres in length must comply with the monthly catch limits for those species that are subject to quota management controls.

It was also agreed that discussions on future arrangements for quota management controls for under 10m vessels would begin in the new year.

Economic Development president Deputy Peter Ferbrache said the re-instatement of the fisheries management agreement, which sets out the agreed basis for the Bailiwick to license and manage commercial fishing up to the 12 nautical mile limit, was very important for the local fishing industry, as it provided stability and security for fishermen.