Dog ban plan for Jersey’s reefs

Thursday 23 July 2020

The States are being asked to ban dogs from Les Écréhous and Les Minquiers.

The Constable of St. Martin, whose parish has administrative responsibility for Les Écréhous, is asking politicians to approve a ban to protect wildlife on the reefs.

The plan comes in the wake of tension on the eastern archipelago over the protection of rare terns nesting among the rocks.

A local conservationist unofficially cordoned off areas of the reef inhabited by the birds, but this included a bench used by hut owners and visitors. This prompted the parish to get involved to find a solution.

Pictured: St Martin Constable Karen Shenton-Stone.

Explaining her plan, Constable Karen Shenton Stone said: “Over the past few months, States Members will have noticed increased coverage of the environmental protections afforded to Les Écréhous and how they could be improved, in order to bring further protections to the wildlife on the reef, including the local tern and seal populations.

“Les Écréhous enjoys global recognition for its history and biodiversity, and, as a Ramsar Site and OSPAR Marine Protected Area, it is critical that the Assembly ensure that it is afforded the protections it needs to maintain its standing. However, it is clear that we can go further than what is currently in place. 

“I am therefore seeking a ban on the opportunity to bring dogs and other domestic animals onto the Island’s two reefs – Les Écréhous and Les Minquiers – in order to help minimise the negative impact that non-native animals may have on the native local wildlife. 

"By adopting this proposition, the States Assembly can send a simple and clear message to visitors that the native wildlife must be respected, and to improve conduct on the reefs while we await a new Wildlife Law.”

Currently, the island’s rabies legislation prevents French visitors bringing dogs ashore and while existing guidelines ‘strongly discourage’ locals from taking their dogs to the reef, it is not covered by any law.