UK sends warships to Jersey over fishing dispute with France

France had previously threatened that the transmission of electricity from France via an undersea cable to the island could be interrupted as a “retaliatory measure”.

‘Precaution’

French fishermen want to act today in Saint-Hélier, the main port of Jersey. But according to local authorities, the fishermen do not intend to block things. Johnson said yesterday he was sending the two Navy ships to Jersey “as a precaution”. According to the Prime Minister, a blockade would be “totally unjustified”.

According to French Minister Annick Girardin (Mer), the British have introduced new access conditions for French fishermen, allowing them to be active in the area for shorter periods of time and to remove fewer species from the water . Girardin said he discovered this last Friday.

‘Completely unacceptable’

The UK has published a list of 41 French fishing vessels subject to new conditions which, according to Paris, have not been “coordinated, discussed or notified” under the Brexit deal between the UK and the European Union. “Completely unacceptable,” Girardin told parliament on the matter this week. She fears that if France does not act, fishermen will also be banned from other British waters rich in fish.

The island of Jersey is located more than 20 kilometers from the Normandy coast. It is not part of the United Kingdom, but a property of the British Crown.