The HMS Tamar, one of the two ships deployed to Jersey. Photo: Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images
The United Kingdom's government announced Wednesday it has deployed two Royal Navy patrol vessels to the island of Jersey "as a precautionary measure," as tensions over fishing rights escalate with France.
Why it matters: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement the government took the action to protect Jersey against potential threats of "a blockade" of French fishing boats at the island, which is off the coast of northwest France.
- French officials on Tuesday threatened "retaliation measures" including cutting off electricity to the self-governing dependency of the British crown over the dispute — which is driven by claims the U.K. government breached a fishing licenses agreement reached in the Brexit deal.
Of note: Jersey gets 95% of its electricity from France via underwater cables.
Flashback: The issue of fishing territory was a major sticking point during Brexit negotiations.