The Real Truth Behind That French Invasion Of Jersey
POST Brexit Boris Johnson and his Government have consistently stuck to the party line that “we have taken back control of our waters” but many in Britain’s fishing industry question that.
Since January 1 2021, hundreds of licences have been issued to EU fishing vessels allowing them access to fish in UK waters. Over on the Bailiwick of Jersey, and entirely in accordance with the UK’s trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union Jersey has issued 41 licenses that included conditions and specific criteria. Many French fishermen applying for the 41 licenses fulfilled conditions and criteria. A number of French fishermen sadly did not… and decided to cry foul.
France’s maritime minister Annick Girardin cried ‘non’ said she was revolted by Jersey’s actions and threatened to cut off the electricity to the island.
As Jersey imports 95 percent of its electricity from France this was a serious threat.
The whole thing led, of course, to the debacle of French fishermen sailing across the waters to blockade Jersey ports.
Many English fishermen from the east coast and channel ports sailed in support of the Jersey fishermen and the Prime Minister ordered two Frigates into the area.
However, what few reported and of course Ms Girardin had conveniently forgotten was that the very first Jersey fishing vessel attempting to land her catch in France in January was ‘turned away over non-compliant paperwork’.
That’s right – they started it!
Here’s the deal: To receive a licence under an agreement with the EU, French boat operators have to show a history of fishing in the area.
Or, in legalese, as per the Fisheries agreement: Article Fish 10: para 1 By Derogation from Articles FISH. 8 (1) and (3) to (7) (Access to waters), FISH.9(Compensatory measures in case of withdrawal or reduction of access) and Annex FISH.4 (Protocol on access to waters), each Party shall grant vessels of the other Party access to fish in its waters reflecting the actual extent and nature of fishing activity that it can be demonstrated was carried out during the period beginning on 1 February 2017 and ending on 31 January 2020 by qualifying vessels of the other Party in the waters and under any treaty arrangements that existed on 31 January 2020.
Environment Minister John Young, who issued the licenses, said: “We want to maintain traditional fishing activity, while clearly at the same time ensuring fish stocks and the marine environment are protected and that fishing in the region is sustainable.”
As someone who has sat on the EU Parliament PECHE committee and followed closely the situation in Jersey waters the aggressive actions of French fishermen and threats coming from the French government and ministers may I suggest the worry and concerns of the French could be due to years of unfettered access to Britain’s fishing grounds allowing the French fishing industry to prosper and grow over many years.
Without uncontrolled access to UK waters they find themselves with limited options of where else to fish, in essence, the French have too many fishing vessels for too few fishing grounds.
The British government cannot allow itself, to the detriment of UK fishermen, to be blackmailed or bullied it must stand firm in the face of French threats as Napoleon once said “Victory belongs to the most Persevering”.
Full article:
https://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/1438965/eu-french-fishermen-brexit-latest-news-Jersey-invasion-Macron