French boats to get interim permits to fish in island waters
TEMPORARY French fishing permits are being issued to resolve the crisis that has prevented local fishing boats landing their catches on the Continent.
The Committee for Economic Development says 13 forms have already been issued and the application fee will be waived.
The committee says that the permits are temporary to provide ‘a period of stability’ and must be matched by the French government.
‘This new regime is for 2020 only and, since it is temporary and does not create any new rights for French vessels in Guernsey waters, it is without prejudice to our future partnership.’
Deputy Lyndon Trott, vice-president of the Policy & Resources Committee, said that French fishing boats had never been ‘banned’ from island waters.
‘I would like to make clear that the opposite is the case. There has also been disruptive and intimidating behaviour shown by some French fishermen while this issue is being actively resolved good faith.
‘This does not reflect the good relationship between our jurisdictions.’
Guernsey says that the confusion arose because it was approached only at late notice by the French authorities and it was because of EU law not Guernsey’s.
‘This new system of authorisations was requested to allow French vessels to comply with the requirements of EU law for member state vessels fishing in third country waters.
‘France only notified Guernsey of this request at short notice before Brexit Day.’
The States says that it worked fast to meet French demands – however they could not make it a seamless transition.
‘This means that there has been a gap before France is able to allow its fishing vessels to legally enter Bailiwick waters. This is despite special local legislation being brought into force in record time and an application process and documents also having to be created.’
The matter blew up last week after Guernsey withdrew from the London Fisheries Convention as Brexit came into force.
That agreement had previously allowed French fishing vessels access to Bailiwick waters.
Economic Development hopes relations will now improve.
‘It is hoped that the actions of French fishermen blocking landings from Bailiwick vessels will now be quickly called off allowing trade to settle back to its previous harmonious basis.’
Threats had been made to local fishermen, warning that if they tried to land their catches in France their boats could be attacked.
The application forms for the new authorisations were posted online in French and English yesterday.
Each form is individual to the vessel and on an interim basis so ‘this will not prejudice our future relationship or create any new rights for French vessels’.
The forms have been supplied to the French authorities to help speed up the process.
Head of external affairs Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq posted online in French: ‘This new system we have established in record time since the UK & RF notified us.’
Deputy Trott said the Guernsey authorities were not giving in to French demands.
‘The authorities in Guernsey will not be bullied,’ he said.
‘We have not introduced the authorisation regime for our own reasons, but because it is a requirement under EU law for Member State vessels fishing in third country waters and assisting in this way is an indication of the importance that we attach to a continued cordial and constructive relationship with Normandy and France, as our closest neighbour, following the UK’s exit from the EU.’
He said Tuesday night’s meeting at Beau Sejour with about 40 local fishermen was well attended, and included people from large and small vessels.
‘They had understandable concerns in regards to the illegal behaviour of certain individuals, particularly at Cherbourg,’ he said.
‘We expect appropriate French fishermen to be authorised by the end of the week and therefore we hopefully can see a speedy conclusion to this issue.’
