In late April 2021, a fishing dispute between the United Kingdom and France erupted in the waters surrounding the British Channel Island of Jersey. Tensions erupted when French fishermen protested new fishing regulations enacted by the Jersey government in the wake of Brexit, which requires boats to show proof that they had a history of fishing in Jersey’s waters in order to get a license.
The fishermen, many of whom depend on these waters for their livelihoods, argued that they were not given enough time to prep for the new regulations, and that they put an end to traditional fishing grounds around the island. This led to French fishboats holding up traffic at the port of Saint Helier, Jersey’s main harbor while the Royal Navy also dispatched two patrol vessels to monitor the events.
Following several rounds of negotiation between the UK government and representatives of the French fishermen and government, a compromise was struck, and the French boats were allowed to continue fishing in Jersey’s waters under the auspices of a new agreement.
The disagreement underscores some of the logistical issues surrounding the Brexit transition and calls into question Jersey’s ability to enforce their own fishing regulations with the full backing of the UK government. The situation is far from completely resolved and could continue to be fraught with tension in the months ahead, as both France and the UK navigate the new post-Brexit norms surrounding trade and fishing rights.