Advertisement

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.

View all 11 updates ›

UK Minister accused of behaving like "bully" over Guernsey fishing row

UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice has been accused of behaving like a "bully" over the current fishing dispute with Guernsey.

Officials at Westminster have banned Guernsey fishermen from working in EU and UK waters after the island's government refused to introduce fishing quotas.

The States argues its licensing system is an adequate way to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks.

Today, in the Sunday Telegraph, columnist Christopher Brooker argues the UK's move is illegal, and threatens to damage the constitutional relationship between there and the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Mr Eustice has provoked an absurdly damaging and thoroughly unnecessary crisis. Someone above him in London needs urgently to tell him that he must stop behaving like a school bully who seeks out the smallest boy in the playground to beat up, in the hope that no one is watching.

– Christopher Brooker

You can read the full comment piece here.

In the past fortnight, Guernsey's government has told island fishermen it has no plan to introduce quotas and back down.

The Chief Minister has written to Lord Faulks, who looks after the relationship between Westminster and the Channel Islands to intervene and break the deadlock.

More top news