A MAJOR overhaul of the Island’s fisheries regulations relating to trawling, netting and dredging – which will deliver a network of Marine Protection Areas – has been passed unanimously by the States Assembly.
The move has been hailed by UK-based environmental group Blue Marine Foundation.
Channel Islands project manager Freddie Watson said: “This is a pivotal moment for Jersey’s marine environment, the result of years of careful work, conversation and collaboration, underpinned by strong scientific evidence.
“By protecting these places, we’re giving marine life the space it needs to recover, supporting more resilient fisheries and helping our seas adapt to the pressures of climate change.”
The regulations, brought forward by Environment Minister Steve Luce, will bring the management of mobile and passive gear into one place and update modern technical standards.
Alan Le Maistre, chief executive of the National Trust for Jersey, said: “From vast kelp forests to the intricate maerl beds that take centuries to develop, Jersey’s seas host some of the most valuable habitats in our natural heritage.
“Their fragility means that once lost, they cannot simply be replaced, underscoring the importance of [the] decision. The marine environment shapes our Island culture, our wellbeing and our future, and it is vital that we protect it.”
During the debate, Deputy Luce said the network of protected areas would come into effect on 1 September and cover 21.7% of Jersey’s waters, with a further area of 1.9% coming into scope in January 2030.
The move followed extensive consultation with representatives from the fishing industry and were designed to ensure a sustainable future for the industry, he added.
Other aspects of the regulations included legal definitions of mesh sizes for nets, a ban on nets being cast from the shoreline during the summer months, changes to equipment specifications and a prohibition on the use of electric currents during fishing.
Deputy Hilary Jeune, chair of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel, referred to the United Nations goal for 30% of the oceans globally being protected by 2030, and said she regretted that Jersey would fall short of this.
However Deputy Jeune acknowledged “an important step forward”.
St Brelade Constable Mike Jackson defended the efforts made by members of the fishing industry.
“Their call isn’t for less protection, it’s a call for better decisions, taken in the right order, so that conservation is effective, fair and commands long-term confidence,” he said.
