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UK Sends Navy Warships to Jersey Amid Escalating France-Brexit Fishing Rights Row

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Tensions between France and the UK have escalated over fishing rights in Jersey, a Crown Dependency in the English Channel, following new requirements implemented under the UK-EU trade deal for boats to submit evidence of their past fishing activities. The row has prompted France to threaten to shut off its electricity supply to Jersey, which receives 95% of its power from France through undersea cables. In response, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held crisis talks with Jersey's politicians and ordered two Royal Navy patrol vessels to be sent to the island "to monitor the situation".

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK will send two Offshore Patrol Vessels to Jersey to monitor the situation amid escalating tensions with France over post-Brexit fishing rights.
  • France has threatened to shut off its electricity supply to Jersey, which receives 95% of its power from France through undersea cables.
  • The row is centered around new requirements implemented under the UK-EU trade deal, which demand that boats submit evidence of their past fishing activities to receive a licence to operate in Jersey waters.
  • UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has spoken to Jersey's Chief Minister, Senator John Le Fondré, and Minister of External Affairs Ian Gorst, stressing the need for a de-escalation in tensions.
  • The dispute comes amid local elections in the UK, where Brexit remains a contentious issue.
  • The French maritime minister has accused Jersey of dragging its feet over issuing fishing licences to French boats, prompting France to consider retaliation measures.

Statistics:

  • 95% of Jersey's power is received from France through undersea cables.
  • 2 Offshore Patrol Vessels will be sent by the UK to monitor the situation in Jersey waters.
  • The UK-EU trade deal has introduced new requirements for boats to submit evidence of their past fishing activities to receive a licence to operate in Jersey waters.

Sources:

  • "Britain sends two warships to Jersey amid row with France over fishing rights" - The Guardian (undated)
  • "France threatens to cut off Jersey's electricity" - BBC News (undated)
  • "UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement" - European Commission (https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_20_47)
  • "Jersey receives 95% of its electricity from France" - Jersey Evening Post (October 2020)

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