The fishing licences are required from Wednesday

Commercial boats will need a special licence to operate within the 12-mile Bailiwick zone.

The purpose of the licence is to protect fish stocks.

Guernsey joins the UK, the Isle of Man and Jersey in the licensing scheme.

Fishing fines

The Department of Fisheries in Guernsey has already issued approximately 200 licences.

This includes the vast majority of the professional Bailiwick fleet. However, a small number of local fishermen have yet to apply.

And they will be prevented from fishing as from Wednesday.

Any commercial boat found operating without a licence will be liable to a maximum fine of �50,000.

And people who buy fish are being asked to help maintain a sustainable fishery for the island by only purchasing from licensed catches.

Members of the Jersey Fishermen's Association said they were particularly concerned that they were not consulted before the new regulations were decided.