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The
European Commission called for calm over the dispute, which on
Thursday also saw a protest flotilla of about two dozen French
trawlers sail to Jersey's main harbour and demand a meeting with
island officials.
The French government was angered when Jersey issued new fishing
permits which, according to Paris, impose unfair restrictions on
French trawlers' access to Channel island fishing grounds, a
sore point in relations since Britain's departure from the
European Union.
A French minister threatened to cut off electricity supplies to
Jersey if the fishing restrictions were not lifted, prompting
Britain's government to express its "unwavering support" for
Jersey and send the two naval vessels.
The French navy said on Thursday the two French patrol vessels
had been deployed on the orders of the French civil authorities.
It did not give details of what they would be doing in the
waters off Jersey.
An official from the French presidential administration said the
deployment of the French boats "speaks to our concern, and
frustration, and is an appeal, which we will also express, for
the correct application of agreements," sealed when Britain left
the EU.
The official said the deployment of patrol vessels from both
France and Britain was aimed at maintaining order and preventing
clashes between trawlers on opposing sides of the row.
Ship-tracking website marinetraffic.com showed one of the two
French vessels, Athos, located approximately 20 km south-east of
Jersey.
It was at least 20 km away from the two British naval vessels,
the HMS Severn and HMS Tamar, which were on the south-western
side of the island.
Earlier on Thursday, the flotilla of French trawler vessels had
sailed to the Jersey port of St Helier.
At least one of the French trawlers entered the harbour and
briefly positioned itself in front of the Commodore Goodwill, a
cargo vessel and ferry that connects the Channel islands to the
British mainland.
A representative for Jersey port said the ship's departure had
been delayed, but had no further details.
Jersey government officials, who say the new fishing
restrictions are in line with post-Brexit trade arrangements,
said they would meet representatives of the protesters on
Thursday to listen to their concerns.
(Additional reporting by Tangi Salaun and Elizabeth Pineau;
Editing by Mike Collett-White)
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