AGREEMENT ON FISHING RIGHTS IN JERSEY

31 Dec 2003 10:45 AM

Improved fishing regulation in Jersey's Bay of Granville comes into force tomorrow, 1 January 2004, following agreement between the UK and France. A second agreement establishes a maritime boundary between Jersey and France.

Bill Rammell, Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for maritime policy, said:

"I am pleased to announce the start of the Granville Bay and Maritime Boundary Agreements between the UK and France.

The Granville Bay Agreement is good news for the environment and for all those who operate in this rich fishing area. It reflects new internationally accepted standards on fisheries limits, defines fishing zones and rights and contains measures for the effective management and conservation of stocks. It also removes potential sources of tension between French and British fishermen."

The Boundary Agreement defines - for the first time - the maritime boundary between Jersey and France putting an end to years of uncertainty. It is appropriate that it comes into force on the first day of the year which marks the 800th anniversary of the declaration of loyalty by Jersey to the Crown.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Agreement concerning Fishing in the Bay of Granville and the Agreement Establishing a Maritime Boundary between Jersey and France were signed in July 2000 in St Helier after more than a decade of negotiations. The reason for the 3 years between the signing and implementation was to ensure that France and Jersey had the legislation in place to meet their respective obligations under the Agreements.

The Agreement Concerning Fishing in the Bay of Granville replaces the 1839 Granville Bay Agreement. It will benefit both fish stocks and local fishermen in the following ways:

- It provides that no vessel may fish commercially in the area without a permit. A Joint Management Committee of government officials from France and Jersey has been established to control the level of fishing effort in the area and will be responsible for issuing the permits.

- The Joint Management Committee will be able to manage the fishery by increasing or reducing the number and size of boats, the extent and nature of fishing gear carried on board and the level of catch allowed.

- The Agreement also establishes a Joint Advisory Committee of fishermen's representatives, government officials and scientists. This Committee will give a voice to fishermen on both sides by providing a forum to resolve disputes and ensure that government officials are fully aware of their concerns.

The second Agreement establishes the maritime boundary between Jersey and France for the first time. Previously there were both gaps and overlaps in jurisdiction. The establishment of a maritime boundary was vital to set out clearly the jurisdiction of fishery patrol vessels of both sides.

News Department, Downing Street (West), London SW1A 2AH