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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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Guernsey 'won't consider introducing fishing quotas'

Guernsey says it will not consider introducing fishing quotas.

That's despite the UK suspending the Fisheries Management Agreement, which stops some island fishermen from using UK and EU waters.

It is thought that is because the Bailiwick won't apply UK quotas.

The Commerce and Employment Minister says quotas would 'decimate' the industry in the island.

Somehow the UK have got themselves into a pickle over their own quotas but I am sorry, Guernsey is not the answer to that. We made it very clear when we negotiated the FMA that we could not have quotas. Our fishermen survive on skate and ray and those stocks are sustanible and are endorsed by other organisations, not just the States of Guernsey Sea Fisheries

– Deputy Kevin Stewart, Commerce and Employment Minister

Fisherman have told ITV News that they agree that quotas would not be good for the island.

Traditionally, or historically we've caught between 200 and 250 tonnes of ray, and that's been going on for years and years and years. And I believe last year it dropped a little bit as we had fewer boats on the ground but they're offering us about 35 tonnes a year, which wouldn't actually keep one boat going.

– DOUGAL LANE, GUERNSEY FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATION
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Bailiwick fishermen banned from UK and EU waters

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