In the latest talks, Brussels has so far turned down a free trade deal unless the EU is granted access to British waters, and it is understood Brussels has put forward the idea of installing different fishing rights around the Channel Islands.
The proposal would most likely give EU fishermen less access to the territories than it currently has under the common fisheries policy, but more than if the UK had sole control.
Local fishermen have highlighted that Guernsey is a Crown Dependency with a unique legal status, and they do not want their rights sacrificed just to break the Brexit impasse talks.
Boris Johnson’s government is sticking with the vision of the post-Brexit country becoming what’s called an ‘independent coastal state’ similar to Norway.
Under this plan the UK would control an ‘exclusive economic zone’, stretching up to 200 nautical miles into the North Atlantic.
It would end the current automatic rights for EU vessels to fish in British waters and lays the foundations for the future management of stock.
However, it is unclear how Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Jersey fit into the picture.
Asked to clarify the position and whether there would be consultation with the islands, a statement released from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs fell short.
‘We will be leaving the Common Fisheries Policy and will be an independent coastal state at the end of 2020.
‘There has not been, and will not be, a departure from the UK’s position that we will take back control of our territorial waters in the Channel next year.
‘We are seeking a fisheries framework agreement with the EU which reflects our rights under international law, and is squarely in line with the EU’s current fisheries agreement with Norway.’
The island’s senior committee, Policy & Resources, is monitoring events closely and has reminded the UK that any new agreements that affect Guernsey would have to be properly considered by the States.
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