Fishing will no longer be permitted in a Jersey harbour after a vote to create a “no-take zone”.

The zone aims to give marine life in Portelet Bay better protection and will also be used as a natural laboratory, the BBC reported. The regulations will come into force from 2 May 2022, making it an offence to remove any marine species or use a fishing boat in the zone. There had previously been used for lobster potting and it is hoped that the new restrictions will allow dwindling numbers to recover.

States Members voted to create Jersey’s first ‘no-take zone’. Scrutiny had voiced some concerns about how the area would be policed and what signs in the bay would say; but the Environment Panel gave its blessing after the Government said it would support all of its recommendations. The no-take zone, which was first proposed four decades ago, will be monitored for an initial five-year period to assess its benefits to fisheries and biodiversity.

Assistant Minister for the Environment, Deputy Gregory Guida, said: “By designating this Zone at Portelet, the Government and other key stakeholders will be able to use the Bay for scientific research, which will give us further evidence to help maintain fish stocks and ensure sustainable fisheries.

“In recent years, the marine biology section of the Société Jersiaise has championed the idea of putting in place a space for the study of unimpacted marine ecosystems, to monitor the recovery of species no longer subject to fishing pressures. The prospect of a No Take Zone was also considered and approved by the Marine Resources Panel, which includes commercial and recreational fishing representatives.

“Moving forward, any fishing or taking of marine animals or seaweed will be an offence and we’ll certainly be policing this to ensure the project is a success. I would like to thank States members for their support of this move.”

The Jersey Government news release can be read here, along with items in Fishing Daily, the Bailiwick Express and ITV.