Fishermen from France and the island of Jersey gathered at the Minquiers, a group of islands south of Jersey, on Oct. 17 to protest the uncertainty surrounding their fishing rights and future, the BBC reported.

The demonstration, organized by Normandy's regional sea fishing committee, brought together around 50 boats from both regions. Fishermen called for greater government support.

The committee expressed frustration over a "continuous erosion" of fishing rights post-Brexit, citing a 47% reduction in the number of fishing permits granted to French fishers for access to Jersey waters. The number has dropped from 152 permits before Brexit.

French fishers, feeling "abandoned," demanded consultation from their government and opposed the use of environmental regulations to push them out of traditional fishing areas around Jersey, which lies in the channel between France and the UK.

Jersey fishers also face challenges, as, unlike French boats, their vessels are prohibited from landing their catch directly in the EU.

Jersey's external relations minister, Ian Gorst, reassured that talks with French officials were ongoing to establish a stable fisheries management system. He also supported opening a SIVEP (Service d'Inspection Veterinaire et Phytosanitaire) border inspection post in Granville to restore trade links between Jersey and Normandy.