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The island of Guernsey approved new permanent fishing licenses for 43 French vessels, a situation that has been the subject of fierce disputes between France and the United Kingdom, after that country left the European Union. However, around 100 more licenses to fish in British waters are still pending, including Jersey, another island of British dependency.
“An important advance in a complex process.” This is how the European Commission (EC) summarized the granting of 43 permanent fishing licenses by the island Guernsey to French boats.
The permits will allow the navigation and fishing of French vessels, including three small vessels, so “they now have the certainty of being able to continue their fishing activities in these waters beyond January 31, 2022, when the current temporary licenses expire.” , indicated the EC.
“As the deadline set by the European Commission approaches, the issuance of 43 licenses is excellent news for our fishermen,” said Annick Girardin, French Minister of the Sea.
But the UK and the island of Jersey still retain dozens more licenses. Girardin added that the approval of 59 licenses to fish in Jersey and 52 for territorial waters 6 to 12 miles off the British coast is still pending.
The Community Executive pointed out that he trusts that these concessions will take place before December 10, the date set by Brussels, before the launch of possible reprisals.
Guernsey and Jersey are islands that lie much closer to the northern coast of France than to the United Kingdom. However, both are dependent on the British Crown.
France accuses UK of not respecting post-Brexit fisheries deal
Fishing rights plagued talks about the UK’s exit from the European Union for years and continue to poison relations between London and Paris, amid political resonance for both sides..
France affirms that its fishermen have the right to work in those waters under the terms of the post-Brexit trade agreement, for which it accuses the British Government of not respecting the pact and not issuing permits well in advance, indications that the Boris Johnson Administration denies.
Following the divorce between London and Brussels, access to British waters requires obtaining a permit and vessels must prove that they already fished there at least between 2012 and 2016.
However, this is a difficult requirement for smaller or older vessels to meet, as they generally do not have GPS and therefore cannot prove their fishing history in the area.
President Emmanuel Macron, who is seeking reelection in 2022, maintains that his government will not rest until its fishermen have all the licenses it claims are missing.
With Reuters and EFE
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