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States Greffe
Deputy John Young Minister for the Environment
Senator Ian Gorst
Minister for External Relations and Financial Services
BY EMAIL 20th April 2022
Dear Ministers,
Fishing vessel licensing conditions and relations with France - update
Prior to the election period which will shortly be upon us, I am writing on behalf of the Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel to request a public update in relation to the above and would be grateful if you could both advise on the following:
- Please can you provide an update in relation to the ongoing dispute with the French Government regarding the number of French vessel licences rejected and whether any further licences have been issued?
- Please can you provide an update on the current status of the number of licences which have been issued by the French Government for Jersey vessels to fish in French waters?
- Given the European Commission recently announcing its support for a series of measures, including port closures and import bans on British vessels, if fishermen from EU member states are not granted the right to fish in the Crown Dependencies' seas, please could you advise:
- What discussions are being had with the UK Government to mitigate against any potential impact of this possibility?
- Will the UK be seeking to invoke the arbitration clause of the Trade and Co- operation Agreement (TCA), on Jersey's behalf, in order to resolve the matter?
- What is the current status of French Border Inspection Posts currently open to Jersey vessels and is the Government of Jersey aware of any further issues with Jersey fishermen being unable to land their catches since the European Commission's recent announcement?
- Please can you provide an update on Jersey's implementation of the extent and nature clause of the TCA and how and when this is anticipated to be applied to vessel licensing conditions, particularly in light of the ongoing dispute?
- Please can you provide a progress update on the preparation of a Jersey Marine Resources Strategy, including the timeline for when this is anticipated to be presented to the States Assembly in the next Government term?
The Panel would appreciate a response to the above queries no later than Friday 29th April 2022.
Please note that it is our intention to publish the written responses on the States Assembly website.
Yours sincerely,
Connétable M. K. Jackson
Chairman
Environment, Housing and Infrastructure Scrutiny Panel