THE government should provide more information about the penalties that will be imposed on EU fishermen who break their new post-Brexit licence conditions, according to a new report.
A panel of backbench politicians has conducted a snap review of draft regulations setting out how EU boats holding a licence to fish in Jersey’s territorial waters can replace their vessel.
Developing a satisfactory policy for replacement vessels is seen as a key milestone in repairing Jersey’s relationship with fishermen in Normandy and Brittany, which has been strained since the UK left the EU in January 2020.
Following negotiations with France and the UK, Environment Minister Jonathan Renouf is asking for more flexibility and discretion than the previous pre-Brexit policy – a fisherman may, for instance, ask for permission to replace their vessel with something slightly longer, wider, heavier and/or with a more powerful engine.
However, after holding hearings last week with Deputy Renouf and Jersey fishermen’s representative Don Thompson, the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel has made a number of recommendations.
These include making sure that Jersey fisheries officers can ensure that all vessels are carrying satellite tracking technology, and providing more information about the penalties that will be imposed on fishermen who break their licence conditions.
The panel also says that, should the regulations be passed, Deputy Renouf should bring a more detailed ‘framework’ underpinning the policy before the end of June.
Panel chair Deputy Steve Luce said: ‘It is evident that the Jersey Fishermen’s Association do not feel they have been afforded the opportunity to have their concerns fully heard by government, which is regrettable, particularly given the considerable pressure and uncertainty the industry has been faced with in the last few years.
‘While the panel is supportive of the draft regulations and agrees this to be an important first step in implementing extent and nature licensing conditions under the EU-UK trade deal, we would like to see a more detailed policy framework in place to provide greater assurance and safeguards to ease concerns.’
The licence conditions over ‘extent and nature’ – effectively, defining what can be caught, where and when – were sent to French fishermen this week.
