Early this morning the authorities at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries learnt that some French fishermen were blockading both the Port of Marigot in St Martin and the entrance into the lagoon; when the first ferry leaving from Anguilla the “Ocean Three”, was denied entry to the port. After learning of the incident and recognizing the impact on the ferry services and the travelling public, numerous phone calls were made to the various St. Martin port officials and an emergency meeting was held at the Chief Minister’s Office, where a decision was made that a delegation from Anguilla should go over to St. Martin to speak with the local authorities there.

The delegation from Anguilla included: Honourable Chief Minister, Mr Osbourne Fleming; The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Victor Banks; The Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Kenneth Harrigan; The Honourable Minister of Social Development, Mr Evans Mc Neil Rogers, The Public Relations Officer in the Chief Minister’s Office, Mr Curtis Richardson; The Permanent Secretary responsible for fisheries, Mr Larry Franklin; the Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mr James Gumbs, and Mr. Maurice Connor of the Anguilla Tourist Board.

On arrival in St. Martin the delegation was met by a representative of the President of the Collective, The meeting was held at the Mayorie The St. Martin delegation which included a number of French and Dutch fishermen (including the head of the St. Martin fishermen association Mr Tony Page), and other French authorities.
After the customary introductions, Mr Frans Gumbs (Chairperson) open the meeting by indicating that it is unfortunate that we are having this meeting given the close relationship, which the people of Anguilla and French St. Martin have had over the years. He proceeded by asking the President of the fishermen association Mr Tony Page to explain the reason why the French fishermen were blocking the port.
Apparently, the St. Martin fishermen were reacting to an incident which happened on Tuesday 5th January 2010, where a fisherman from St. Martin was asked by Officers of the Marine Division of the Royal Anguilla Police Force not to fish in Anguilla waters without a valid fishing licence. The fisherman was obviously not happy with being unable to fish that day because he was under the impression that there was some unwritten agreement where French fishermen were allowed to fish in Anguilla waters without the appropriate fishing license. Hence, the unofficial blockage of the port a week later by the fishermen.

The Anguilla delegation reiterated the sentiments of Mr Gumbs in that Anguilla and St. Martin have always had a good relationship and that the Government of Anguilla recognizes the longstanding relationship and interdependence between Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Maarten in the area of transport, commerce, maritime and fishing matters. However, there is a need for persons to adhere to all legal requirements when they are in the territorial waters of Anguilla. The Anguilla delegation also stressed the need for Anguilla to protect its marine resources for the benefit of Anguillians while recognizing the traditional relationship with fishermen from St. Martin and St. Maarten.

It was agreed:
that the port should be immediately opened. The port was opened around 12:15 pm.
Indigenous fisherman from St. Martin and St. Maarten will adhere to Anguilla’s legal requirements in order to fish in the territorial waters of Anguilla including obtaining the appropriate license and permissions.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Anguilla and its counterpart organization in St. Martin will collaborate to ensure that issues are resolved in a timely and amicable manner.

Indigenous fisherman from St. Martin will be granted one month to apply to the Department of Fisheries and Martine Resources for the appropriate license. The license issued to the local St. Martin fishers will be for line fishing for pelagic fish species only (dolphin fish, wahoo, tuna etc.) and they will not be allowed to set fish traps targeting lobsters, crayfish, and reef fish.
- Press Release

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