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1240/5(1981)
QUESTION TO BE ASKED OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY, 4th NOVEMBER 2003 BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN
Question
As the Guernsey fishing licensing scheme is now in place, would the President inform members –
- o f the numberof Jersey fishing vessels that have been excluded from fishing withinGuernsey waters?
- o f the numberof appeals to the Guernsey authoritiesby Jersey fishermen that have been successful?
- w h at action the Committee is taking to resolve the present difficulties and state whether a requesthas been made to the UKDepartment for Environment,Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for assistance?
- w h ether the UK Minister with responsibility for the Channel Islands has become involved in this matter, and if so, notify membersoftheoutcomeofanymeetings that have been held?
Answer
- O u r information is that 76Jersey vessels applied for Guernsey licences. Ofthese, only vessels with DEFRA(U.K.)licenceshave been granted a Guernsey licence. There were 8 such vessels; therefore, 68 Jersey vessels couldbeseentohave been excluded from Guernseywatersand also waters lying between the 3 mile and12 mile limit of the BailiwickofGuernsey.
- T h erehave been no successful appealsby Jersey fishermen.
- T h e Committee is taking the following action to resolve the present difficulties. Firstly, it will bemeeting with the Guernsey authorities at the highest level. Secondly, it is reviewing how our licensing schemecan be amended to provide Jerseyfishermen with a better chance of gaining access tothe waters adjacentto Guernsey; this will require thecooperationofDEFRA,andour officers are currently developing a caseto take forward. Thirdly, advice isbeingsought from theLawOfficers' Departmenton options available to challenge the legality ofGuernsey'sscheme.
- A t presenttheU.K. Minister with responsibility for the Channel Islands has notbecome involved in this issue. However,when the casereferredtoinanswer (c) is taken toDEFRA then I will ask that the Minister does becomeinvolved.