Guernsey fishing ban 'war of words' continues

Guernsey fishermen have been banned from fishing in EU waters, including those off the UK

The UK government is insisting Guernsey is in breach of an agreement, which has resulted in a fishing ban.

The agreement, signed in 2011, established Guernsey's control of its three to 12-mile limit.

The Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) claims the Bailiwick has refused to apply quota controls, but Guernsey maintains it was never part of the deal.

Guernsey boats have been unable to fish in the disputed area for three weeks.

'United front'

The ban does not prevent the island's fishermen from continuing to fish in local waters, but does prevent Bailiwick vessels from fishing in EU waters, including those of the UK.

Commerce and Employment Minister Deputy Kevin Stewart has accused Defra's Fisheries Minister George Eustace - who is an MP in Cornwall - of protecting the Cornish fishing fleet at Guernsey's expense, claiming it was running roughshod over Guernsey's unique position as a crown dependency, outside the EU.

He has called on the Bailiwick's fishermen to present a "united front" to the UK.

However Defra has maintained the issue is not the constitution, but the Fisheries Management Agreement.

It said although Guernsey was not part of the EU, it had signed the agreement, meaning it should comply with relevant EU fisheries measures as its boats fish in EU waters and land in EU ports.