Two Members of the European Parliament, Pierre Karleskind (Renew Europe, France) and Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew Europe, France), together with five French MPs, asked the European Commission on Monday, 18 January to intervene to ensure that fishing continues in Jersey waters.
The agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom has been applied since 1 January. However, in Jersey, its implementation has not yet taken effect. “While more than 300 vessels were previously authorised to fish in Jersey waters, only 57 authorisations have been issued by the Government of Jersey”, a statement said.
The MEPs sent a letter to the Fisheries Commissioner, Virginijus Sinkevičius. “We call for swift, strong and firm action on the implementation of the provisions specific to the Channel Islands”. MEPs and French MPs want the Jersey government to comply with the obligations and issue fishing permits quickly.
MEPs point out that the provisions of the EU/UK agreement on fisheries in the Channel Islands can be called into question at the request of one of the parties within 90 days. This questioning would result in the end of customs exemptions and other provisions that Jersey cannot do without, explain the deputies. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)