As part of negotiations that took place yesterday, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer secured a deal that will allow EU boats to fish in UK waters until 2038.
This agreement was included in a deal that also included trade, defence and energy issues.
EU fishermen already have access to UK waters but that arrangement was due to end next year.
A spokesman for the Economic Development Committee said this would not impact on the rights of EU fishermen to enter Guernsey’s waters.
‘Access to Bailiwick of Guernsey territorial waters by EU fishing vessels is governed by Article 502 of the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement,’ he said.
‘This is not in scope of the discussions between the UK and EU and any agreement that may be made. The Bailiwick licensing regime took effect on 1 February 2023.
‘The Bailiwick’s fishing policy for access to local waters by EU vessels is settled and fully understood by all parties to the TCA.’
Guernsey fisherman Dougal Lane said that EU boats have had to carry electronic trackers for several years if they want to fish in Guernsey waters.
‘UK waters have a median line between us and France and the UK waters are to the north of that median line,’ he said.
While in the past local fishermen were also able to fish in UK waters, that stopped about two years ago when it became a requirement for boats to have electronic trackers on board which cost more than £1,000.
A request for a grant from the government towards the cost of the devices was refused, he said.
Mr Lane said that also stopped local boats landing their catches in the UK, but he now ships his catch there via ferry.
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