Fishermen concerned about licences

The fishing licences will be required from October

Jersey's fishing industry is concerned new regulations may bar its boats from Guernsey waters.

Jersey fishermen are finding their vessels are not able to secure the licenses they need to fish in the Bailiwick.

Vessels will have to meet strict criteria, such as length, engine size and ownership before they receive a licence to operate in Guernsey waters from October.

Guernsey's Sea Fisheries department says Jersey fishing vessels will still be able to fish if they can prove they used the waters previously.

We haven't got a benchmark as to how they're going to grant licences Deputy Mike Taylor, Jersey Fishermen's Association

Guernsey's fishing authorities have been trying to introduce a licence scheme since 1992 because any vessel can fish in its territorial waters.

From October, restrictions on the size of boats fishing around the Bailiwick will be enforced for conservation reasons.

Anyone fishing from an unlicensed vessel may be fined up to £50,000.

Guernsey's Sea Fisheries said: "It is a conservation tool that is used throughout the world.

"The overall aim of fishing vessel licensing is to protect the stock and maintain it at a sustainable level for future generations."

But Deputy Mike Taylor, chairman of the Jersey Fishermen's Association, says that his members are particularly concerned that they were not consulted before the new regulations were decided.

Previous fishing

He said: "What Guernsey is saying, and what is so frustrating, is that they'll take each case on its merits.

"But we haven't got a decision on anything yet. They haven't granted any licences and they haven't refused any licences.

"Until they do that, we haven't got a benchmark as to how they're going to grant licenses. And bear in mind all this comes in on 1 October."

For now, Deputy Taylor is urging all Jersey fishermen to apply for licences to show Guernsey how serious the situation is.

Roger Sendall from Guernsey's Sea Fisheries department says Jersey fishing vessels will still be able to fish if they can prove they have fished there before.