Jersey Tells A Third Of French Boats: 'No Fishing In Our Waters'

Jersey's government is bracing itself for a blockade of its main port following threats from angry fishers in response to a decision to turn away a third of the French boats applying to fish in its waters.

- Daniel Boffey

The Channel Island's minister for external affairs, Ian Gorst, said its government had taken a “pragmatic” approach in issuing 64 full and 31 temporary licences to French boats, on top of 47 vessels licensed earlier this year.

Applications for a further 75 French boats had been rejected as “they do not meet the criteria and have either not fished in Jersey waters during the relevant period or have not been able to evidence their activity, the government said. These 75 vessels are being given 30 days' notice of the end of the transitional arrangements, after which they will no longer be able to access Jersey waters.

Gorst said he was open to any of those boats providing fresh evidence in support of a permit, and conceded there was a danger of reprisals.