The UK and Jersey governments have issued further licences to French fishing boats to trawl British waters amid a post-Brexit wrangle over access rights.
A UK Government spokeswoman said 18 more licences had been granted to replacement vessels that had been able to show evidence of previously fishing in British grounds, with seven more vessels under consideration.
Jersey has granted permanent licences to an additional five vessels, she said. The spokeswoman said the decision had come after Environment Secretary George Eustice spoke with European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius on Friday evening “following several weeks of intensive technical discussions on licensing”.
She added: “Throughout this process, the UK’s approach has been evidence-based and in line with our commitments under the Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA).
“We have licensed vessels where sufficient evidence has been provided that demonstrates that a vessel qualifies for access under the TCA. Where that evidence has not been provided, licences have not been issued.”
Providing details of the decision to grant more fishing licences, a UK Government spokeswoman said: “On direct replacement vessels, we have taken an approach in line with the TCA which provides stability and ensures the sustainability of our fisheries.
“Last night, following receipt of new evidence from the (European) Commission, the UK licensed 18 replacement vessels on the basis of this methodology.
“Further technical work on seven more licences for direct replacement vessels is scheduled to conclude on Monday.
“Jersey has today announced that it can, following receipt of new data this week, issue permanent licences to an additional five qualifying vessels currently on temporary licences.
“This will take the total permanent licences issued by Jersey to 130.
“This now concludes this phase of intensive talks on licensing.”
