Guernsey’s Committee for Economic Development proposes control of the first sale and purchase of fish and shellfish landed in Guernsey.
The Committee for Economic Development has lodged a Policy Letter with the Greffe that makes proposals to the States of Deliberation to control the first sale and purchase of fish and shellfish landed in Guernsey.
Commercial fishing in Guernsey waters is regulated and the relevant fishing vessels have to be registered and licensed – a process that means that licensed fishermen incur significant costs. The Committee has become aware that some boat owners who operate unlicensed vessels are regularly selling fish and shellfish in Guernsey.
However, the scale of this activity has been brought into sharp focus in the last twelve months.
The Committee is therefore proposing to prohibit the first sale of fish or shellfish in Guernsey unless they have been landed from a licensed fishing vessel or the person selling the fish or shellfish was authorised by the Committee. The Committee would like to emphasise that these proposals will not affect fishermen who fish for pleasure and their ability to provide catches for family and friends.
Deputy Neil Inder, President of the Committee for Economic Development, said: ‘If the Committee for Economic Development’s proposals are approved by the States of Deliberation, it will mean that the first sale and purchase of fish and shellfish landed in Guernsey will be regulated and this measure will protect the livelihoods of commercial fisherman, who invest in their licensed fishing vessels.’
