And the group, called the Jersey Shellfish Trading Group, met States Members last week, including External Relations Minister Ian Gorst to discuss their views and concerns and is made up of Jersey Aquaculture, Jersey Fishermen’s Association and Jersey Shellfish Merchants.
It follows claims from Hervé Morin, president of the regional council of Normandy, that Senator Gorst had spoken to him about how it could become significantly more difficult for fishermen to land their catch in France. It has been claimed that 80 per cent of fish caught by Channel Island fishermen is exported to Normandy.
According to Mr Morin, Senator Gorst said that last year, all fishermen were in favour of Brexit but now they are all ‘afraid’.
In a statement, a spokesman for the States’ External Relations Department said that they were in regular contact with industry representatives to ensure that they are prepared for any changes following Brexit.
‘Ministers met with the Jersey Shellfish Trading Group (JSTG), comprising representatives of the aquaculture, commercial fisheries and shellfish merchants associations,’ he said.
‘The meeting was a positive one where the industry representatives were able to reinforce their views on Brexit planning.
‘As an outcome, alongside ongoing political conversations, Deputy Luce will be arranging meetings for the JSTG with relevant local and regional bodies in France.’
The spokesman added that the landing of fisheries products in France would not be outlawed in event of a no-deal or ‘hard’ Brexit but added that it could make
the process significantly more complicated, from both an administrative and logistics perspective.’
