3 hours ago
FRENCH fishermen are threatening to blockade Jersey’s port and stop supplies being delivered to the Island after a worsening diplomatic dispute between the two jurisdictions reached new heights.
Fishermen gathered at the Granville criée auction house at the weekend to protest about the fishing licences they had been given by the Government of Jersey. Picture: Ouest-France (30781718)
The threats follows the issuing of post-Brexit fishing licences to Norman and Breton vessels last week, which representatives from the Normandy and La Manche regions claim had restrictions attached which had not been discussed with them.
In addition to the threats, French officials have said they will be closing their offices in the Channel Islands and stopping imports of Jersey products into France.
Last modified on Wed 5 May 2021 13.26 EDT
Franceâs response to post-Brexit fishing restrictions around the island of Jersey has been described as âpretty close to an act of warâ by fishing community leaders in St Helier. They say they have been told 100 boats are being lined up in France for a 6am blockade at the main Channel Island port on Thursday, threatening food and energy supplies.
âIt was inevitable that the French would kick off,â said the head of the Jersey Fishermenâs Association, Don Thompson. âBut the reaction weâre seeing from France is almost like something you would see from Iran or Russia. Theyâre not just saying they can cut off the electricity supply, French fishermen are saying that theyâre coming tomorrow [Thursday] to blockade the harbour in time to stop the ferries from coming in so thereâll be no food supply and no fuel coming into the island either. So it comes pretty close to an act of war, this.â