Protected zone could grow to help lobster stocks

Jersey could expand a protected fishing zone around Les Écréhous in a bid to reverse declining lobster catches.

Proposals lodged by Environment Minister Mary Le Hegarat would increase the size of the existing zone, about six miles (10km) north-east of Jersey, where "highly effective" parlour pots are banned from use.

Unlike a traditional "inkwell" pot, which usually has a single chamber, a parlour pot contains two or more compartments.

The move comes as Jersey's lobster fishery faces mounting pressure, with commercial lobster landings declining steadily since 2015.

A similar ban on parlour pots has been in place at Les Minquiers about nine miles (15km) south of Jersey since 1997. The report said it was generally agreed the restriction on the "very efficient pots... has been of benefit to the stock of targeted shellfish species, primarily the lobster".

A no parlour pot zone was introduced at Les Écréhous in 2018 after discussions between Jersey and French fishing representatives.

The report said the zone had been "a success" but had been limited by its size. Plans to expand it were discussed by a lobster working group before being revived this year with backing from fishing interests in both Jersey and France.

Follow BBC Jersey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.