Jersey: France threatens an island in the English Channel with electricity withdrawal

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In the dispute over fishing licenses for waters on the British Channel Island of Jersey, the French government threatens retaliatory measures.

You have already informed the EU Commission that the Brexit Treaty will not be complied with on this point, said Annick Girardin, the minister responsible for maritime policy, in the lower house of the French parliament on Tuesday.

The island is only a few kilometers off the French coast, but is a British crown possession with its own administration.

The island receives most of its electricity supply from France via an undersea cable.

And there is now a dispute about this: 41 fishing licenses have been awarded to French boats for Jersey, according to the head of department Girardin.

However, these are associated with unacceptable, unsettled conditions, for example access to the waters has been reduced in some cases from 40 days to a little more than ten.

Dispute between France and Great Britain

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"We have the means," added Girardin, with a view to possible retaliation.

In this context, she brought switching off the power supply into play.

“I would be very sorry if we had to go that far”, but they would “do it if we have to.” Otherwise, one risked access to the sea in other places as well.

The British government defended itself against the allegations on the grounds that Jersey was crown property, but had its own administration.

This means that the island is responsible for issuing licenses itself.

No influence was exerted.

French fishermen have long been angry about access to British waters after Brexit.

The protest is mainly directed against the slow issue of fishing licenses in London.

Jean-Luc Hall, head of the National Fishing Committee, told Bloomberg news agency that Britain had issued fewer licenses than agreed.

French fishermen would not venture into British waters without a license to avoid risking penalties.

After the British left the EU, there was a dispute over total catches and their distribution.

At times, negotiations on a Brexit trade pact threatened to fail due to the fish issue.

In December, the EU countries agreed on temporary fishing quotas until the end of July.