Stay out of Cherbourg, local fishermen warned
LOCAL fishermen have been told not to land their fish in France because it is unsafe for them and their catches will be destroyed.
French fishermen have warned the managers of auction markets at Cherbourg, Granville and St Malo that there would be retaliation if Channel Island fish were landed.
Dougal Lane, vice-president of the Guernsey Fishermen’s Association, said yesterday that the States needed to respond.
‘I think a stern email needs to be sent to the French fishermen’s association telling them to sort it out or their access to Guernsey waters will be looked at,’ he said.
‘That’s the only outcome we’ve got, it’s the only way we can do anything about it, we’ve got to threaten their access to our waters because they’ve stopped us landing. I’m very upset, we have an agreement with France that we can land our catches in France and they can fish in our waters, an agreement is a two-sided deal and suddenly it’s a one-sided deal, we’re not allowed to land in France but they’re still fishing in our waters.’
Fishing makes up a tiny percentage of Guernsey’s GDP, but Mr Lane believes it is vital for the island’s sense of identity and culture. He wants a commitment from the States that livelihoods will be protected.
‘One boat that was stopped was a young fisherman who has just invested a lot of money in his boat within the last week, and when you start a business like that you really need some cash flow and it’s going to hurt him very hard.He had 300kg of pollack on board and as far as I know he’s still got it.’
Dozens of French vessels put on a theatrical display off St Helier on Thursday and the UK government sent two Royal Navy ships in a show of support for Jersey.
Mr Lane has contacted all States members informing them of how the Guernsey fleet has become embroiled in the dispute.
Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, Guernsey’s lead on external affairs, appealed yesterday for cool heads. ‘The Bailiwick’s interim fishing arrangements in place since the beginning of this year have not changed and no formal measures have been introduced preventing Guernsey’s fishing fleet from landing their catches in France,’ he said.
‘However, tensions are still high as the dispute between our neighbours continues and, for that reason, French merchants have advised local fishing crews to wait until the situation has calmed down before they resume landings.’
