Amy Gladwell
BBC News Online

Jersey's power supply will not be disrupted as a result of the fishing dispute, the island government has said.

In a statement, it said: "Jersey’s essential infrastructure will not be disrupted as local facilities are able to meet our power requirements in the event of any external interruption."

On Wednesday, the UK government said a threat by the French government to cut off Jersey's electricity over the post-Brexit fishing dispute was "clearly unacceptable and disproportionate".

Jersey Electricity also tweeted on Wednesday in a bid to reassure customers.

BBC Radio Jersey

Assistant Environment Minister Gregory Guida confirms a member of the government will talk to the fishermen.

Deputy Guida is on a boat and will be joined by External Relations Minister Ian Gorst for the discussions, which he expects to take place within the next two hours.

BBC Radio Jersey

The vessels have moved away from the St Helier Harbour entrance towards St Aubin's Bay.

Freddie Miller
BBC Jersey political reporter

I understand Jersey's Assistant Environment Minister, Deputy Gregory Guida, is on his way out to meet French fishermen at sea, to listen and hear what they want to achieve.

BBC Radio Jersey

Jersey's External Relations Minister Senator Ian Gorst said they were working on resolving the conflict, including giving French fishermen more time to apply for licences.

Officials said meetings with the president of La Manche on Wednesday were good and had gone some way to ending the confusion.

Freddie Miller
BBC Jersey political reporter

Earlier, on the pier-side in St Helier where I am, there were probably about 30 islanders, including a couple of police officers.

It’s been pouring with rain here but that hasn't dampened the spirits.

There was shouting from the pier and on to the waters.

Jersey flags are hung to the railings of the pier.

Meanwhile there were some Jersey boats in support of the French, flying both French and Jersey flags, and also a couple that were there trying to stop the French from coming into the harbour.

Amidst all of this you’ve got the two Navy vessels in the distance – you can just see the outline shadow of them through the mist, just keeping watch over everything.

At least 60 French and Jersey boats are involved in the protest today.

French fishermen set out at about 03:00 and gathered off the south coast of Jersey at about 05:00.

Freight ferry Condor Commodore Goodwill, which arrived in Jersey last night from Portsmouth, had been due to leave the port at 07:00.

Two armed Royal Navy patrol boats are patrolling the south coast of Jersey.

The UK government sent HMS Tamar and HMS Severn after the fishing dispute between the island and France escalated.

No 10 said it was sending two Navy vessels to "monitor the situation".

Freddie Miller
BBC Jersey political reporter

Earlier this morning in the darkness from the pier-side where I'm standing you could see the lights from boats slowly making their way from the direction of France towards Jersey.

They then all gathered outside St Helier Harbour and sat there for around half-an-hour as they grouped.

Then at about 06:30 they started making their way slowly into the harbour. Flares were set off – red flares, orange flares, burning bright.

French flags were flown, there were banners and some shouting going on.

After moving away from the harbour earlier, the French flotilla has returned to block the entrance stopping the Commodore Goodwill freight vessel from leaving.

The fishermen are calling for a representative from the island's government to meet with them.

French fishermen have complained about being prevented from operating in British waters because of difficulties in obtaining licences.

Under an agreement with the EU, French boat operators must show a history of fishing in the area to receive a licence for Jersey's waters.

But it has been claimed additional requirements were added without notice.

Jersey has the sole power to issue the licences, and as of last week all fishing boats were required to have a licence to operate there.

On Friday, the Jersey government granted 41 permits to French fishing vessels that are equipped with technology that allows them to be located.

But the French government claimed the list of approved ships came with further demands that "were not arranged or discussed, and which we were not notified about".

At least 60 French and Jersey boats are involved in a protest at St Helier Harbour over post-Brexit fishing rights.

We'll bring you updates on what is happening and the background to the row.