Fishing wars have reignited off Jersey after a French trawler allegedly broke the law by catching more than a tonne of protected bluefin tuna worth £10,000.
The boat was reportedly seen on marine tracking software in an area called the Sark Box, passing in and out of Jersey’s and Guernsey’s waters.
‘Where they were I am almost certain they were targeting tuna — there are not a lot of other types of fish there this time of year,’ said Jersey Fishermen’s Association president Don Thompson.
And he said records show that 1.2 tonnes of bluefin tuna was later sold at auction in the Normandy port of Granville.
Bluefin tuna is protected under Jersey’s wildlife laws but controlled fishing for the species is not banned in France.
‘These are boats that operate on free licences given to them by Jersey — that is what upsets me more than anything,’ Mr Thompson said.
‘We are unable to target or land any of this fish.’
In May, French and British trawlers clashed over fishing rights around Jersey.
The Channel island is investigating the alleged tuna catch.
‘If true, this would be a breach of wildlife laws and may contravene licence conditions,’ a spokesman said.
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
How to get your Metro newspaper fix
Metro newspaper is still available for you to pick up every weekday morning or you can download our app for all your favourite news, features, puzzles... and the exclusive evening edition!
Download the Metro newspaper app for free on App Store and Google Play
from News – Metro https://ift.tt/3jbto6g
0 Comments