Brexit consequences: Jersey, an island in the middle of a dispute

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There is trouble in the English Channel.

The fishing dispute between Great Britain and France has escalated.

Right in the middle: the residents of the small Channel Island of Jersey, who suddenly found themselves facing an armada of French fishing boats on Thursday.

Josh Dearing, Jersey fisherman

“It was pretty scary: 70, 80 boats on the way to us with a few hundred French fishermen on board.

Our people were worried about what could have happened.

Jersey is really small, with 100,000 people, nine by five miles.

We don't have a coast guard.

We don't have any kind of protection, no police ships or anything.

So we were at the mercy of it. "

The French vented their anger with banners and Bengalos and temporarily blocked the port of the island's capital, Saint Helier.

They are upset by the Jersey government's new fishing restrictions - which in turn are a result of Brexit.

A minister from the island explains the problem as follows:

Gregory Guida, Assistant Secretary of the Environment of Jersey

“Fishing here was governed by an agreement we signed about 20 years ago that allowed boats from France and Jersey to share the same waters.

With the UK leaving Europe, these waters naturally had to be split up and licenses issued for boats in both countries.

We started with it and of course there are still growing pains.

The fishermen on both sides have understandable grief.

We're trying to sort it out. "

The evening after the protests, there was a rapprochement between the island officials and the French fishermen.

According to a fisherman representative, the talks did not go well; he called them a "dead end".

For France and the UK, the division of fishing grounds is a sensitive political issue.

Jersey is officially not part of the UK.

But London is responsible for the defense of Jersey.

Therefore, Prime Minister Boris Johnson unceremoniously sent two naval ships to the island - to ensure safety.

But also as a muscle game in the Brexit negotiations with the EU.

Josh Dearing, Fisherman from Jersey:

“That these two warships showed up, broadcast by Boris Johnson, was great.

We were so exposed, such a small island.

The two boats out there, although keeping their distance, showed their presence to keep things from getting out of hand. "

And so there was a lot going on in the port area of ​​Saint Helier. The French, for their part, had sent two military ships in response to the British, and dozens of fishing boats cavorted there. The Brexit escalation is perfect - four months after Brexit. And a solution to the conflict is not in sight.