April 1, 2026
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Channel Islands recently held a joint session with the APPG for the Oceans in Westminster to discuss progress on Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Jersey’s Minister for External Relations, Deputy Ian Gorst, attended the meeting alongside the Minister for the Environment, Deputy Steve Luce. The session brought together parliamentarians, industry representatives, and regulators to review the development of MPAs across the Channel Islands as well as wider issues affecting the fishing and marine sectors.
The meeting was convened by Sarah Champion MP, who chairs both APPGs, and included representatives from Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.
This Westminster session also took place ahead of a Channel Islands Group APPG visit to Jersey in the final week of March. The delegation to Jersey consisted of Fleur Anderson MP, Matt Western MP, Baroness Pitkeathley, Lord Ponsonby, and Lord Pitkeathley.
During their visit, the group met with Jersey Ministers, the Bailiff, and the Lieutenant-Governor to discuss current issues affecting the Island and to explore further opportunities for collaboration between UK parliamentarians and Jersey.
While in Jersey, the delegation toured the States Assembly and Royal Court, and met with representatives from Jersey Finance, the Jersey Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Jersey Overseas Aid, Jersey Heritage, and La Société Jersiaise. The itinerary also included a visit to the Jersey War Tunnels.
