Government of Jersey Marine Resources

17/07/2026

Static nets must be marked exclusively with red and white floats. These floats are now available for free, in limited quantities at Normans Marine, St Ouens Motorworks, and Howard Davis Farm.

06/07/2026

01/07/2026

Marine Resources have been working with local charter vessel Anna III on a tope and ray tagging effort since 2006. In recent years, three Tope that were tagged in Jersey waters have had remarkable recaptures off the coast of Portugal and France. These fish are equipped with ‘floy’ tags with a unique identification number on. Data can only be received if the animal is recaptured.

Tissue samples are also being collected from tope sharks in Jersey and combined with samples from the Irish Sea and Cardigan Bay for genetic analysis. This forms part of a PhD collaboration between JICAS, Jersey Marine Resources, and the University of Exeter.

This analysis can provide insights into movement patterns, gene flow, and potential population structures. In 2025, 23 tope sharks were successfully sampled over two fieldwork days. Further sampling is planned for later this year, with the goal of collecting at least a total of 30 Jersey samples. This research will help improve our understanding of tope shark populations and support their future conservation and management.

We are very grateful to all the collaborators that have made this effort possible.

30/06/2026

Final day today, thanks to everyone that has responded already!

If you haven’t already completed the recreational fishing survey, there’s only a week to go! (Closing June 30th)

👉 Complete the survey: https://survey.gov.je/s/JRFS2026/

We really appreciate your feedback regardless of experience level, whether you fish regularly or just a handful of times a year. It helps us better understand fishing activity, your views, and the value of recreational fishing to Jersey.

Thanks to those who have already completed the survey.

Infrastructure and Environment - I&E

29/06/2026

Please be aware that Marine Resources will be conducting research in the Portelet Bay No Take Zone between the 29th of June and the 3rd of July. Research gear will be marked with yellow buoys and will be left in the bay for 48 hours at a time.

24/06/2026

If you haven’t already completed the recreational fishing survey, there’s only a week to go! (Closing June 30th)

👉 Complete the survey: https://survey.gov.je/s/JRFS2026/

We really appreciate your feedback regardless of experience level, whether you fish regularly or just a handful of times a year. It helps us better understand fishing activity, your views, and the value of recreational fishing to Jersey.

Thanks to those who have already completed the survey.

Infrastructure and Environment - I&E

09/06/2026

As part of a PhD project the Marine Resources department is conducting a research project to better understand skate populations in our waters. We are tagging skates with acoustic ID tags that are attached externally to gold discs, which also have our contact details and the skate's unique ID number.

If you catch a skate with a gold disc attached:
Report any tagged skate you catch by emailing [email protected]. When reporting, please provide:

• The tag ID number, either;
-The number visible in the yellow tip at the end of the tag (25…), or
-The number printed on the gold disc (EX…)
• Capture location (GPS coordinates)
• Date of capture
• Skate length and width

Your cooperation is essential in helping us track skate populations and improve fisheries management. Thank you for your participation!

08/06/2026

Yesterday (07/06/2026), a shark washed up at Greve D’Azette beach. It was quickly reported by a Durrell veterinary nurse who also assisted with the post mortem.

Jersey Coastguard, and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue attended the scene with Marine Resources. The shark was showing small signs of life and was unable to be revived at the scene. The incoming tide then took the shark away.

The shark washed back up on Greve D’Azette beach today (08/06/2026). Marine Resources were notified, the shark was collected by DFI and taken to the Government knackers yard in Trinity.

A post mortem was performed on the shark by New Era vets to look for cause of death. No obvious signs were found. The shark showed no signs of fisheries interaction or entanglement.

The shark is a Smalltooth sand tiger shark (Odontaspis ferox). This species has not been found in Jersey since records began. However, it has been recorded washed up on the UK shoreline. (See link for details: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jfb.15529 )

Total Length= 430 cm
Weight = 597 kg

We would like to thank all those involved. Especially BDMLR, Jersey Coastguard, Durrell, New Era vets, and the Department for Infrastructure for their diligent responses.

28/05/2026

Recreational Fishing Survey 2026

Recreational fishing is an important part of Island life, supporting wellbeing, local businesses and our connection to the sea. This summer, we’re launching a survey to better understand recreational fishing activity, catches, and its value to Jersey.

If you’re a recreational sea fisher, we’d really appreciate your input. Your responses will help shape future marine management and ensure recreational fishing is properly recognised.

Take part and make your voice heard👉 https://survey.gov.je/s/JRFS2026/

24/05/2026

Please be aware that Marine Resources will be conducting research in the Portelet Bay No Take Zone between the 24th and 28th May. Research gear will be marked with yellow buoys and will be left in the bay for 48 hours at a time.