COMMERCIAL fishers from Jersey, Normandy and Brittany met this week for the first time since Brexit to find common ground before their political leaders met at Mont Orgueil.
On Monday, ten fishers from France and nine from Jersey held a virtual meeting which a joint release afterwards said “marked a turning point towards renewed cooperation and shared solutions” and “addressed shared challenges and began a new era of bottom-up collaboration.”
One particular bone of contention for both French and local fishers is the Jersey government’s plan to introduce ‘Marine Protected Areas’ – in essence, no-fishing zones – as part of a ‘Marine Spatial Plan’ with the States Assembly approved last year.
Due to come into force next year, the protected areas prompted a protest by French fishers in Granville earlier this month.
After this week’s meeting, the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, with the Normandy and Brittany Fishing Associations said: “These Marine Protected Areas were a central topic of discussion.
“The proposed closures of historic fishing areas will impact approximately 40 vessels from Jersey, Normandy and Brittany, but delegates stressed that the knock-on effects would be far wider.
“Displacement of vessels will cripple the Jersey fleet and affect many more French boats, with serious consequences for all fishing communities, supply chains, and safety at sea.
They added: “Fishermen on both sides of the water are saying the same thing: we haven’t been listened to. This meeting was about making sure our voices are heard – and heard together.”
The three fishing associations added that delegates had also highlighted the post-Brexit classification of Jersey waters as a ‘third country’, which prevents Jersey fishers from landing key species such as whelks and scallops into France.
They said: “French representatives agreed the situation was unfair to Jersey and warned it could pose risks for their fleets too if unresolved. That’s why both sides wish to find a solution to regulate classification of Jersey waters.
“Despite these concerns, the tone of the meeting was overwhelmingly constructive. Both Jersey and French representatives agreed that this first step had opened the door to rebuilding what was once a strong and cooperative relationship.”
Jersey’s fishing community will next host their French counterparts in October.
