Draft Sea Fisheries (Les Ecréhous) (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- (P.66/2026): comments
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COMMENTS
Background and context
The Sea Fisheries (Les Ecréhous) (Jersey) Regulations 2018 established a No Parlour Pot Zone within part of Les Écréhous as a fisheries management measure intended to support lobster stock recovery and the long-term sustainability of the fishery.
The Panel understands that according to the Draft Sea Fisheries (Les Ecréhous) (Jersey) Amendment Regulations 202- [P.66/2026], commercial lobster landings have generally declined since 2015, and recent Marine Resources surveys have identified low numbers of both legal-sized and undersized lobsters. In response, P.66/2026 proposes expanding the existing restricted area to cover most of the shallow reef habitat at Les Écréhous, providing a larger refuge for lobster populations and protecting key nursery areas.
P.66/2026, if adopted, will expand the existing No Parlour Pot Zone at Les Écréhous by prohibiting the use of parlour pots across a wider area of shallow reef habitat. Parlour pots are a highly effective type of lobster pot designed with internal chambers that can increase catch efficiency compared with traditional pot designs.
As part of its scrutiny of the proposition, the Panel wrote1 to the Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries seeking clarification regarding the evidence underpinning the proposed boundary extension; stakeholder engagement undertaken during development of the proposal; monitoring and enforcement arrangements and; the measures that will be used to assess the success of the amendment.
In response2 to the Panel's queries, the Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries advised that the proposed boundary extension is intended to protect a larger area of productive shallow reef habitat that supports lobster populations, drawing on survey evidence from existing no parlour pot zones and consultation with Jersey and French fishing stakeholders, while monitoring and enforcement would be undertaken through existing Marine Resources compliance arrangements and assessed using vessel monitoring and fisheries data.
Fisheries Sustainability and Evidence
The Panel's 2024 review of the Marine Spatial Plan examined the balance between environmental protection, commercial fishing activity and the long-term management of Jersey's marine environment. The review highlighted the importance of evidence- based decision making, effective fisheries management and the use of appropriate measures to support the sustainable management of marine resources.
In considering P.66/2026, the Panel notes that the proposed expansion of the No Parlour Pot Zone is intended to support lobster stock recovery and improve the long-term sustainability of the fishery. The Panel notes that the proposition is supported by commercial landings data and survey information which indicate declining numbers of both legal-sized and undersized lobsters.
1 2026-10-14-Letter-to-Minister-re-Draft-Sea-Fisheries-Les-Ecrehous-Amendment- Regulations-202-(P-66-2026).pdf
2 2026-10-23-Letter-to-EHI-Panel-from-MENV-re-Les-Ecrehous-Amendment.pdf
[1]The Panel notes evidence cited by the Minister 3suggesting that the existing No Parlour Pot Zone may provide an important nursery habitat for juvenile lobsters, supporting the rationale for extending protections across a wider area of shallow reef habitat.
The Panel notes that P.66/2026 forms part of a wider package of fisheries management measures, including increases to minimum landing sizes and other measures under consideration to support the long-term sustainability of the lobster fishery.
Balancing Conservation and Fishing Activity
The Panel notes4 that Les Écréhous is both an important environmental site and an area utilised by the fishing industry. The area forms part of Jersey's Marine Protected Area Network and is designated as a Ramsar Site of international significance.
The Panel recognises the importance of balancing environmental protection with the operational and economic requirements of the fishing industry. Sustainable fisheries management requires measures that support the recovery and protection of marine stocks whilst also providing certainty for those whose livelihoods depend upon access to marine resources.
Monitoring, Future Evaluation and Stakeholder Engagement
The Panel considers that effective monitoring, enforcement and stakeholder engagement will be important in ensuring that the expansion of the No Parlour Pot Zone delivers its intended outcomes. Continued collection of scientific data and evaluation of lobster stocks will assist in assessing the effectiveness of the measure and informing future fisheries management decisions.
The Panel considers it important that future monitoring assesses ecological outcomes, including impacts on lobster abundance and recruitment, alongside levels of compliance with the restrictions.
The Panel recognises the importance of stakeholder engagement in the development and implementation of fisheries management measures. Given the significance of Les Écréhous to both environmental conservation and commercial fishing activity, the Panel notes the engagement that the Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries has stated[2] was undertaken during the development of the proposal, including with fishing industry representatives and other interested groups The Panel considers that continued dialogue with stakeholders will be important to support the successful implementation and ongoing review of the measures.
Conclusion
Having reviewed P.66/2026, and supporting information, the Panel supports the expansion of the No Parlour Pot Zone at Les Écréhous. The Panel considers that the proposal represents a proportionate fisheries management measure and emphasises the importance of continued monitoring, evaluation and stakeholder engagement to ensure that the expansion delivers its intended environmental and fisheries management outcomes.
[1]3 2026-10-23-Letter-to-EHI-Panel-from-MENV-re-Les-Ecrehous-Amendment.pdf
4 2026-10-23-Letter-to-EHI-Panel-from-MENV-re-Les-Ecrehous-Amendment.pdf
[2] In correspondence dated 23 October 2026, the Minister advised the Panel that engagement had been undertaken by the Marine Resources team, including through the Lobster Working Group, discussions with the Jersey Fishermen's Association, fishing industry representatives in Jersey and France, and the Jersey Ramsar Advisory Group.
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P.66/2026 Com.