The dispute centres on the rights of Jersey boats to fish in Guernsey waters between the three-mile and 12-mile limits and has already been the subject of Royal Court and Court of Appeal proceedings in Guernsey. The Jersey Fishermen’s Association initially won the right to fish in Guernsey waters, but lost it on appeal. They are now taking the case to the Privy Council, the final court of appeal for UK overseas territories and Crown Dependencies. The Privy Council is the highest court that can hear Channel Islands cases – but the image of a UK court stepping in to resolve an inter-island dispute does not help two islands trying to broaden their international profile and independence.
