Total of 58 French boats want to fish in our waters
GUERNSEY has received 58 applications so far from French fishermen to work in local waters once post-Brexit transitional arrangements end in February.
The current transitional arrangements allow access for 167 French vessels until 31 January, although it is understood that there have been nowhere near that number operating in local waters over this period.
Full licences will be issued to eligible vessels on 1 December. Those applying will need to prove they have evidence of fishing in Guernsey waters for a qualifying period of time required under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed after Brexit.
Those full licences will then come into effect on 1 February – allowing time for any discussion should the EU or France raise any concerns about the list of qualifying vessels or methodology used.
The process forms part of a roadmap announced by the States in September, which it said was welcomed by Normandy authorities.
‘The numbers of vessels included in the interim authorisation regime was based on a general list of vessels provided by French officials at the end of 2020,’ said Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, the external relations lead for Policy & Resources.
‘It is correct that 58 licence applications have been received.
‘It is quite possible that a few more will be submitted, but it is a matter for French fishing vessels to consider applying, if they have the evidence of fishing activity in the relevant waters for the track record period that the TCA requires.’
Details of the situation around fishing licences for EU boats in British and Channel Islands waters were set out this week in the Commons by a UK minister.
Environment minister Victoria Prentis said that almost 98% of all licence applications received by the UK had been granted.
