Unless a drastic political commitment is made, fishermen in Brittany will have no choice but to keep fishing vessels tied up.
Faced with the contining surge in diesel prices, the main Brittany fishing fleets, along with producer organisations and fisheries committees, have met to assess the situation and reaffirm a common position.
They conclude that there is no indication of a swift resolution to the crisis in the current events in the Middle East, and as fuel prices at the pump have doubled and without any certainty regarding future increases, there is no possibility of a rise in fish prices that would cover increased running costs.
‘We expect targeted and proportional aid to offset all diesel price increases exceeding a threshold of 70 cents per liter. This aid must be applied not at the company level, but for each individual vessel concerned,’ said Grégory Métayer, president of the Côtes d’Armor departmental fisheries committee.
The committees point out that at the current rate of inflation, deferrals of expenses or credit are insufficient to maintain operations for the affected vessels, most of which are trawlers, representing a third of the fleet in Brittany, or approximately 300 vessels. Fuel prices now account for more than 50% of their revenue and there is a direct impact on crews’ earnings.
Trawlers ensure diversity in landings at fish markets, as well as half of their volume and value. In many coastal areas, they form the central link in a significant economic network. They actively contribute to French and European food sovereignty.
The committees state that without a favourable commitment following the upcoming discussions, fishing companies in Brittany will no longer be able to guarantee the continuity of their operations and without genuine support, the fleet will remain in port and the future of several thousand local jobs will be threatened.
‘We also hope that all obstacles to the successful renewal of the fishing fleets will finally be removed in order to carry out their energy transition,’ stated Yannick Calvez, president of the Finistère departmental fisheries committee.
