WHAT’S THE STORY? THE pleasant island of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands, is at the centre of international attention after up to 70 vessels from the French fishing fleet blockaded the island’s main port and capital, St Helier, yesterday morning in a protest over fishing rights in the rich seas around Jersey. One video appeared to show a French trawler ramming an islander’s boat, though it is said to have been an accident. Two Royal Navy ships and two French patrol vessels went to the scene but did not intervene in what has been described locally as a noisy, colourful but mainly peaceful protest, with signal flares and rude shouts being the biggest ammunition fired. Fears are growing the protest could be the start of another “cod war”.
French fishermen leave Jersey after post-Brexit rights protest
By Emma Harrison & Ella Wills
BBC News
image copyrightGetty Images
A protest over post-Brexit rights by French fishermen at Jersey s main port has ended, following talks that aimed to resolve the row.
About 60 boats protested at St Helier and two Royal Navy ships and two French vessels were sent to the area.
French fishermen say their rights are unfairly restricted by licences issued under the Channel Island s new system.
Jersey s External Relations Minister Ian Gorst said discussions were positive .
However, a spokesman for fishermen from France s Normandy region suggested that no progress had been made during the talks.
French fishermen leave Jersey after post-Brexit rights protest
By Emma Harrison & Ella Wills
BBC News
image copyrightGetty Images
A protest over post-Brexit rights by French fishermen at Jersey s main port has ended, following talks that aimed to resolve the row.
About 60 boats protested at St Helier and two Royal Navy ships and two French vessels were sent to the area.
French fishermen say their rights are unfairly restricted by licences issued under the Channel Island s new system.
Jersey s External Relations Minister Ian Gorst said discussions were positive .
However, a spokesman for fishermen from France s Normandy region suggested that no progress had been made during the talks.