It looks like my suspicions were correct.
And then Boris is passing the buck.
The Jersey government has added what it calls two "very minor" conservation measures to the new access agreement, dealing with dredging and nesting areas. It argues that neither of them are unreasonable.
France argues that the new rules create restricted zones, and limit the kind of fishing equipment which can be used. They say many of their local boats could be put out of business.
If Jersey's position does not change, France is reserving the right to retaliate.
France has threatened to cut electricity supplies to Jersey.
This may be just tough talk, but France would theoretically be within their rights to take this action.
The Brexit deal says that in some cases, both the UK and the EU can respond to a breach of one part of the agreement - eg in fishing - by imposing sanctions in another area (electricity supplies).
But they would have to prove that the agreement really had been breached, and that would take some time.
However, the UK government is ultimately responsible for its international relationships. That's why access to fishing waters around the Channel Islands are dealt with specifically in the new UK-EU trade agreement.
The European Commission backs France and says the terms of the trade deal are not being respected.
The UK says it informed the European Commission about the new licences - but the Commission says this happened only one day before they came into effect, giving no time for any discussion.
https://www.bbc.com/news/57001584