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Bailiwick fishermen banned from UK and EU waters

The temporary ban on Guernsey fisherman entering EU and UK waters was lifted today.

Guernsey's fishermen were banned last month from fishing in UK and EU waters in a row over quotas.

The shock move appeared to be because fishermen do not have to abide by any quota limits in Bailiwick waters.

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Bailiwick fishermen banned from UK and EU waters

Credit: David Cheskin/PA Archive/PA Images

Fishermen in the Bailiwick of Guernsey are facing a "surprise" ban on entering UK waters.

The UK has today suspended the Fisheries Management Agreement between the UK and the Bailiwick. It has also suspended the reciprocal UK licences held by Bailiwick fishermen.

It is believed to have taken the action because of Guernsey's policy not to apply UK quota controls to Bailiwick vessels in Bailiwick waters.

The Commerce and Employment Department says it is surprised and shocked at the short notice and lack of consultation.

This decision by the Minister of State has come out of the blue. Commerce and Employment is working with the fishing industry to ensure that its interests are robustly represented, at the same time as continuing to protect Bailiwick waters as a sustainable fishery. We are actively considering every option we have in order to do that.

– Deputy Kevin Stewart, Commerce and Employment Minister

This decision does not prevent any Bailiwick licenced fishermen continuing to fish as normal in Bailiwick waters, but prevents Bailiwick vessels that currently hold a UK reciprocal licence from being able to fish in EU, including UK, waters.

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