Following meetings with representatives of the fishing sector, Minister for Energy Maud Bregeon, banking institutions and energy suppliers, France’s Minister for The Sea and Fisheries Catherine Chabaud has introduced a series of measures – which the industry has criticised as falling short of meeting the needs of an industry facing spiralling fuel prices.
The National Committee for Fisheries (CNPMEM) has slammed what it describes as a lack of concrete measures commensurate with the crisis currently affecting the fishing industry.
‘Despite the urgency and the commitments made, no concrete measures have yet been implemented. Under the current conditions, going to sea means working at a loss. Our crews and our vessels will stop. While Spain and Italy are taking action, France is waiting. Without immediate support for fuel, our entire sector is threatened,’ said CNPMEM president Olivier Le Nézet.
CNPMEM has accused the French authorities of lagging behind, while Spain and Italy have already taken effective steps to support their fishing sectors.
‘After two successive meetings with public authorities in the space of a few days, the fishing industry notes that, despite the urgency of the situation and the commitments made at a high level, no immediate operational response has been provided to deal with the surge in fuel prices,’ a CNPMEM representative stated.
The Government has announced a number of cash flow support measures, including staggering social security contributions with a payment period without fees or surcharges available, relaxation of tax deadlines for fishing companies and cash flow loans guaranteed by Bpifrance with immediate support.
‘Our fishermen are facing an exceptional situation, on top of many other difficulties. The entire government is mobilised to provide them with immediate solutions, but also to build a more resilient sector, less dependent on fossil fuels,’ Catherine Chabaud said.
‘This is everyone’s business: fishing professionals of course, but also banks, energy companies and consumers.’
The situation in the Middle East and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil passes, have triggered a significant increase in fuel prices since the end of February. Heavily reliant on fossil fuels, fishing is particularly vulnerable. Fuel prices have been highly volatile for the past three weeks, and the duration of the crisis remains uncertain.
CNPMEM points out that all this is insufficient to address the urgent need, as these measures mainly rely on existing programmes or deferred mechanisms that do not provide direct and immediate support for the most critical expense – fuel.
‘This discrepancy is all the more incomprehensible given that several European countries have already taken strong measures to support their fleets and seafarers. Spain, for example, has implemented direct aid of up to €0.30 per litre, quickly followed by Italy. At this stage, France is not offering any equivalent programme,’ CNPMEM states.
