Speaking in the French media, Marc Delahaye, director of the Normandy Regional Fisheries Committee, warned of the negative consequences for Jersey of such a move, labelling it an ‘illusion of reclaiming lost maritime grandeur’.
Measures that could be taken in response by the French, according to the newspaper report featuring his comments, include ‘revolutionary’ action, restricting the landing of fish in French ports, changing the terms of the Island’s power supply from Normandy or introducing new customs and freight duties.
The issue of usage of British territorial waters by foreign vessels has been one of the key sticking points as Brexit negotiations come to a head with the transition period due to end on 31 December.
After this date, new trade arrangements, including fishing rights, are due to be set out between the UK and the EU, although a ‘no deal’ scenario remains possible.
Jersey has its own fishing agreement with France, called the Bay of Granville Treaty, which allows shared access to the Island’s waters.
Government officials, led by External Relations Minister Ian Gorst have been seeking to largely maintain the status quo, while aiming to secure continued access to French ports for Jersey fishermen to land or export their catch.
But Don Thompson, president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, has continually opposed these plans, calling for more exclusion of foreign boats from Jersey’s waters.
Mr Delahaye condemned Mr Thompson’s attitude, warning of the consequences if French boats lose access to Jersey waters.
‘This protest is led by retired fishermen who are leading the population into an ultra-nationalist dream,’ he said.
‘The illusion of reclaiming lost maritime grandeur is nonsense sold to the Island’s fishermen. The economic reality will be more scathing.’
He added that he believed there were four possible scenarios once the Brexit transition period comes to an end on 31 December, some of which could prompt a ‘revolution’ on the part of French fishermen.
‘The first is that of an agreement with Europe. But in the event of a “no deal”, the Granville Bay Treaty may fall,’ he said.
‘Either with an immediate exclusion of French fishermen – in this case, it would be a revolution – or with a two-year notice period provided for, which leaves time.
‘Finally, the treaty can be maintained despite a “no deal” by virtue of the specificity of the Channel Islands.’
He added: ‘Norman and Saint-Malo fishermen find it hard to believe that we’re potentially putting an end to more than a millennium of trade, freight exchange and cousinly relations on our coasts.
‘We still want to believe in intelligence. If they want to commit suicide, it’s their right, but we want to live.’
Controversy was caused recently when the UK parliament decided to include a ‘permissive extent clause’ in its Fisheries Act, designed to allow it to legislate for the Island, if necessary, to meet international obligations in the post-Brexit environment.
The decision, which affected Guernsey and the Isle of Man too, was condemned in Jersey, including by Senator Gorst, who stated Jersey retains control of its waters and the States Assembly has final say on any new laws.
Mr Delahaye said that the UK’s move was ‘a huge knifeblow to the autonomy of the islands’.
