Up to £400,000 has been made available to support Jersey's fishing industry for the rest of this year.

Businesses can claim fixed cost and salary support until 31 December.

Around £120,000 was given to businesses in phase one of the scheme, which expired at the end of August.

18 claimants received help with salaries and seven got fixed costs support.

The scheme's objectives are:

• To make sure Jersey kepts the core infrastructure and criticala mass of the fisheries sector to comtinue operating as a sustainable and viable part of Jersey's economy
• To give bridging support during the disruption to export routes and market access, while other initiatives to create trade are developed.

"There is continued uncertainty around access to Jersey waters, and Brexit-related barriers to Jersey’s long-established markets in Europe, and ongoing pressures on key stocks.

"It is therefore appropriate that businesses in the fishing sector continue to have support to help them through these difficult times." - Deputy Kirsten Morel, Assistant Economic Development Minister.

The scheme was first introduced last year to help the industry recover from the impact of the first wave of Covid-19.

The extension to the scheme was announced after Jersey fishermen and women suffered more disruption this morning (26 November)

French fishermen blocked its St Malo port in protest at the number of licences being given to use UK and Channel Island waters.

It's reported that the British Normandy Trader was stopped from docking earlier.

Jersey's External Relations Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, says protests are unhelpful for all communities.

Pleased to speak with @VSinkevicius and @VictoriaPrentis this morning to discuss ongoing fisheries matters - constructive dialogue and provision of evidence in line with the TCA is key to the issuing of licenses - protest is unhelpful for all communities and is not the answer.

— Senator Ian Gorst (@Ian_Gorst) November 26, 2021

A constructive talk with Minister @VictoriaPrentis & Senator @Ian_Gorst on fishing licences.

We intensify work to deliver clear answers & solutions by 10 December 2021 to 🇪🇺 fishermen seeking access to Jersey waters under the terms of the TCA.

We will speak again in a week.

— Virginijus Sinkevičius (@VSinkevicius) November 26, 2021