Defra says Guernsey's fishing ban is 'regrettable'

The Commerce and Employment Department said it was shocked at the suddenness of the move

A ban which will prevent Guernsey fishermen from using EU and UK waters has been described as "regrettable" by the UK government.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is suspending a fishing agreement with the Bailiwick over a lack of limits on how much produce local fishermen can land.

Defra said the move was "a last resort".

The States has said it is "shocked" by the announcement.

Defra said it had tried to reach a "mutual agreement", but Guernsey had "refused" to introduce a ceiling on the amount of some species that could be caught.

The UK is suspending licences held by Bailiwick vessels from Saturday.

'Hopeful of temporary situation'

This decision does not prevent any Bailiwick fishermen from continuing to fish in local waters in accordance with their licences, but does prevent Bailiwick vessels from fishing in EU waters, which includes those of the UK.

A Defra spokesman said: "This action is a last resort in response to Guernsey not honouring the terms of the agreement they signed, and not complying with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy, which is designed to protect stock levels with quotas

"We have worked with Guernsey since March to try and come to a mutual agreement, but Guernsey has regrettably refused to introduce a ceiling on their skates and ray catch which is not sustainable, nor is it a fair use of quota.

"It is important we protect the long-term future of our fisheries and quotas play a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability of our stock. We understand the impact on local fishermen and hope this will be a temporary situation."

Guernsey's Commerce and Employment Department has said it was "surprised and shocked at the short notice and lack of consultation".

It said not applying the UK quotas had been agreed in the Fisheries Management Agreement and it warned the imposition of the quotas could make many island fishing businesses "unviable".

Fisherman Dougal Lane said "very few" Guernsey boats fish outside the 12 nautical mile limit so it would not have much impact. He said two boats fished in EU waters regularly and five to 10 vessels fished there occasionally.

He said, as it was a reciprocal agreement, its suspension could stop UK and Jersey fishermen working inside the limit.

The Commerce and Employment Department said it was looking at the details of the suspension before deciding if it would ban others from Bailiwick waters.

The department said a briefing for the Bailiwick-wide fishing industry was being organised for next week.

Fisheries Management Agreement

• The licensing law came into force on 1 February 2013

• Previously only the three nautical mile limit was controlled, with fishing between three and 12 nautical miles - an area of about 1,000 square nautical miles of sea - had been unregulated since 2007

• Anyone wanting to fish commercially within 12 nautical miles around the Bailiwick - Guernsey, Alderney and Sark - has to be licensed

• Those fishing unlicensed can face fines of several thousand pounds as well as the seizure of their catch