Local fleet can land fish in Cherbourg once more

The news follows a turbulent week in local fishing, during which relations between Jersey and France broke down as the island started issuing fishing licences to French boats. French fishermen were unhappy over the conditions that came attached to those licences and blockaded St Helier harbour on Thursday.

Guernsey fishermen were then warned that it was not safe for them to land catches in some French ports.

Guernsey Fishermen’s Association vice-president Dougal Lane said the situation had improved, with Cherbourg fishermen now allowing Guernsey boats to land catches again. This means wet fish like pollack and bass can now sold onto the EU market. But Carteret is still off-limits.

Local shellfish fishermen would normally sell their catches to a Jersey business, which would sell them on to the EU. That avenue has been blocked by the Jersey dispute.

Mr Lane said local boats were still going out fishing.

‘You can store shellfish for two or three weeks,’ he said. ‘They are hoping it will settle down. I’m not so sure.’

Guernsey’s government is still negotiating how it will licence French boats.

Mr Lane said it would be very easy for Guernsey officials to ensure the same Jersey situation was not repeated in Guernsey – to give the French fishermen everything they want.

‘We are very worried that is what’s going to happen,’ he said.

He said local fishermen were very keen to meet the Guernsey government to discuss the situation.

The politician with external affairs responsibility, Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, said access to Cherbourg was secured on Friday night, praising ‘some swift cooperation from La Manche’.