Fisheries Support Scheme Phase 2: Approval

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A decision made on 19 November 2021

Decision Reference: MD-E-2021-0046
Decision Summary Title	Approval for the Fisheries Support Scheme – Phase 2	Date of Decision Summary	16 November 2021
Decision Summary author	Private Secretary EDTSC	Decision Summary: Public or exempt?	Public
Written Report title	Approval for the Fisheries Support Scheme – Phase 2	Date of Written Report	16 November 2021
Written Report author	Group Director of Economy	Written Report: Public or exempt?	Exempt
Subject: Extension of the Fisheries Support Scheme
Decision: The Minister will extend fixed cost and salary support to the fishing sector. The fisheries industry and its ability to continue in its current form is severely affected by the UKs exit from the EU. This would have been the case whether Jersey had decided to participate in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) or not due to the additional non-tariff barriers that comes with being a Third Country to the EU in relation to goods. The immediate impacts of the new trading relationship between Jersey and the EU, the tensions caused by the immediate situation including access to markets and access to (and management of) fisheries, and the knock-on impact of this in terms of the survival of the fishing fleet, in their ability to land their catch and derive income from this sector, are the main drivers for the extension of this proposed short-term support scheme.
Reasons for Decision: This Fisheries Support Scheme focusses on preserving businesses which are core to Jersey’s marine industry. The extension of the Scheme seeks to balance support with shareholders and owners so that businesses can continue to trade once a new trading pattern with EU customers, and longer-term markets are explored. The objective of the scheme is:- To ensure that Jersey maintains the core infrastructure and critical mass of the marine sector to continue to operate as a sustainable and viable part of the economy; To provide bridging support during the period of disruption to export routes and market access; and To provide bridging support while other initiatives to facilitate trade are developed.
Resource Implications: There are no staffing resource implications arising from this decision.
Action required: Officers to take the necessary steps to implement the scheme.
Signature: Deputy Kirsten Morel		Position: Assistant Minister for Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture
Date signed:		Date of Decision (If different)