This Is Guernsey

By Nick Mollet

GUERNSEY has delayed a meeting with Jersey aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over access rights for fishermen. It had been scheduled for Monday, but has been postponed indefinitely.

The reason given was that Guernsey is still waiting for a response from the UK’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on certain issues.

‘We have delayed a meeting because we have been in consultation with Defra and expected we would have had a response by Monday, but did not. Having the meeting might have been very sociable, but would not have achieved anything,’ said Commerce and Employment minister Deputy Stuart Falla.

‘We are very keen that Defra do respond accordingly. The only people or body that can grant us territorial seas and the rights to go with that are the UK Government.

‘Therefore, it’s up to it we should present ourselves in the first instance and that is what we are doing. Once we have clarity in that area then we will be very pleased to discuss fisheries management between Guernsey and Jersey.’

Fishing rights to waters around Guernsey have been a bone of contention for years and ended up earlier this year in the UK’s highest court - the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.

Jersey representatives expressed disappointment at the postponement.

Economic Development minister Senator Philip Ozouf told the island’s States that no progress had been made and he was seeking urgent communication with Guernsey in a bid to find an agreement for both islands.

‘Jersey fishermen can rest assured that we continue to defend their interests,’ he said.

He believed it was not acceptable to postpone a meeting Jersey had been trying to arrange for up to four months.

‘We support Guernsey’s extension of territorial waters to 12 miles and the legitimate position for Guernsey to extend their territorial waters. It’s good that Guernsey is in discussion with the UK Government to do that,’ said Senator Ozouf.

Jersey respects the historic rights of fishing activity on all sides, including third parties, he said.

‘We assert that Guernsey was unfair in excluding a number of our fishermen and have supported the Jersey Fishermen’s Association in their attempts to secure those historical rights.

‘I cleared all outstanding issues with Guernsey fishermen’s rights in Jersey waters as a matter of goodwill earlier this year,’ he said.

‘I believe in treating people in the way in which we would wish to be treated ourselves.’

‘We need to sort this out - this has been a long-running dispute which needs to be resolved. I regret that the JFA has had to seek redress in the highest court in the UK. This should not be happening between two friendly islands,’ said Senator Ozouf.

‘We, as a responsible neighbour, want to see all waters around the Channel Islands with appropriate management agreements, with environmental considerations at the fore about protecting fishing stocks and the environment.’

‘Our fishermen have felt pretty aggrieved by the Guernsey situation. Islanders in Jersey will wonder why Guernsey does not wish to do the right thing. I don’t think we are being unfair,’ he said.