[2] There are a small number of fishermen's huts, some used as holiday residences, on the largest islets, and one official building, a customs house, on La Marmotchiéthe.

During the last ice age, sea levels were lower and the islands were high ground above a plain that connected the European Continent with southern England.

While Edward III in the 1360 Treaty of Brétigny waived his claims to the crown of France and to Normandy, he reserved various territories to England.

It was recorded that the main smuggled goods in the 1690s through the Ecrehous were lead and gunpowder destined for St Malô.

[5]: 72 Though they are only inhabited sporadically by holidaymakers and fishermen, in the past there have been more permanent residents on the Ecrehous due to more abundant vegetation.

In 1950 France took the United Kingdom to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for discussions to decide to which country the Minquiers and Ecrehous belonged.

In the Minquiers and Ecrehos case, the ICJ considered the historical evidence, and in its judgment of 17 November 1953 awarded the islands to Jersey.

In 2005, the States of Jersey designated it as an area under the Ramsar convention, signifying it was a wetland of international importance and giving it an enhanced status and recognition.