Permits that relate to "extent and nature," the type and amount of fishing activity that an EU fishing vessel undertakes in Jersey waters, took effect on February 1, the Government of Jersey has confirmed.
The government said the new arrangement will allow a "stable and predictable fishing relationship" with Jersey's regional partners.
Following extensive discussions with the EU, France, and UK, as well as liaison with French regional fishing authorities, the Government of Jersey will implement the fisheries provisions dealing with specific access arrangements for Jersey waters in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). New controls on EU fishing activity will be brought into effect, maintaining effort to reflect the fishing activity in the three years just before the UK left the EU.
The permits have been attached to the 136 permanent licences that the government has issued to EU vessels when those licences were renewed on February 1.
Relevant stakeholders have been informed in advance, including the regional fishing bodies in Normandy and Brittany and the Jersey Fishermen's Association.
In a small number of cases the original licenced EU vessel is no longer in use. An amendment to Jersey legislation to enable the licences and permits assigned to an original licenced vessel to be transferred to a replacement vessel has been adopted in principle by the States Assembly.
Subject to its scrutiny and final approval, the government intends to licence replacement vessels in accordance with a published policy.
