Guernsey waters poorly managed - conservationists

Marine Conservation Guernsey is pushing for better management of the island's waters

A group of conservationists has criticised the "poor management" of Guernsey’s waters.

Bruce Dovey, from a new group called Marine Conservation Guernsey (MCG), said the island was out of step with the rest of Europe and risked damaging its marine environment.

The group, which is pushing for better regulation of the island's seas, said the marine environment could be irreversibly damaged without more action.

Sea Fisheries, which manages Guernsey's waters, said: "Legislation is enforced and sea fisheries continues to monitor fishing activity within bailiwick waters."

However, Mr Dovey said water users had been concerned for some time.

"We need to have a good management of the sea," he said.

“We need a proper management plan, which would have defined roles and jobs with a reporting structure to management and committees to enact legislation and ensure it’s complied with."

In response, Sea Fisheries said: "There is a significant amount of fisheries legislation enacted through local ordinances and licence conditions which is continually under review."

Bruce Dovey criticised the lack of data provided by Sea Fisheries

MCG also criticised the lack of recent reports looking at the island’s fish stocks, with the last one published in 2020.

Sea Fisheries said the pandemic led to delays and the 2021 report was set to be published soon.

But Mr Dovey said the lack of up-to-date data was a "big problem" as it was not giving an accurate picture.

"Without data, these conversations become extremely difficult," he said.

Home Affairs President Rob Prow said he expected the Leopardess to be operational later this year

The States heard last month the sea fisheries protection vessel the Leopardess had been out of action for the last three months.

The Home Affairs Committee confirmed it took responsibility for the vessel in January 2024.

It said it was using £560,000 from the seized assets fund to pay for what it called "essential work" so it could be sent for a full survey and refit.

Home Affairs President Rob Prow said he expected the Leopardess to be operational later this year.

Mr Dovey said the lack of an operational protection vessel was illustrative of a wider issue.

“We believe sea fisheries is struggling to manage the situation at the moment," he said.

“If it hasn’t been already, our marine environment will be damaged and it’s very important this is looked at very closely.”

The States said "contingency plans" were in place while the Leopardess remained out of action.

It said the plans included chartering suitable vessels "as and when required" to carry out essential maritime enforcement.

Former commerce and employment minister Kevin Stewart proposed the purchase of a new sea fisheries protection vessel while in office

Kevin Stewart, former commerce and employment minister, said he attempted to purchase a new sea fisheries protection vessel in 2013 but it was blocked by the States.

He said the States should make a firm decision on the future of the vessel instead of "dragging its heels".

"Maybe the States may argue it doesn't need one," he said.

"But at the moment you can't have a vessel that just isn't servicable."