UK Recalls Vessels From Jersey As Fishing Dispute With France Seems Settled

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 07th May, 2021) London has ordered its patrol ships back from the area of the Jersey island, as the tensions involving French fishermen protesting against fishing quotas seem to have de-escalated, the office of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Thursday.

"Given the situation is resolved, for now, the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessels will prepare to return to port in the UK," the office said in a statement.

London expressed readiness to assist the Jersey authorities if needed, and noted that they could regulate the fishery in their waters on their own, the statement also read.

According to the office, the UK government will continue to negotiate with the European Commission and work with Jersey, situated 23 kilometers (14 miles) off the northern French coast and 140 kilometers south of the British coast.

The tensions off the island, where a flotilla of around 60 French fishing boats protested against the fishing quotas, flared on Wednesday after France reportedly threatened to cut the electrical supply to Jersey.

London has deployed two patrol vessels from the Royal Navy to the site to monitor the situation as a "precautionary measure." In response, Paris has also sent its patrol ships to the island.

Fishing rights were one of the sticking points in the negotiations of the post-Brexit trade deal following the UK's exit from the EU in January last year.

Although both parties signed a trade agreement in December, France has been accusing the UK of preventing French fishing boats from operating in the British waters.