The announcement of a €0.20 per litre rescue package for fishing has been welcomed by French fishermen’s organisations, although they warn that this measure doesn’t go far enough to get the entire fleet back to sea – and depends on getting a green light from the European Commission.
‘This announcement marks a major step forward, subject to its validation by the European Commission, but does not fully address the urgent need shared with the Minister for all vessels to continue to go to sea,’ said Olivier Le Nézet, President of the National Fisheries Committee (CNPMEM), commenting that the priority is to ensure that the supply chain from fishing vessel to consumer remains in place as the industry faces a crisis with fishing vessels already being laid up.
‘All vessels must be able to return to sea, including theos most affected. Without an appropriate response to this objective, a chain reaction of consequences for the entire sector is looming.’
He stated that in a sector where fuel accounts for up to 40% of a ship’s revenue, and with fuel prices reaching levels never experienced before the war in Ukraine, a suitable response is needed to get all the fishing companies and crews out of this predicament.
According to CNPMEM, 20 cents/litre still means operating at a loss for many vessels, given current fish prices, and the current situation is of particular concern for the trawl fleet, which forms the bulk of French landings in terms of both vlaue and volume.
Olivier Le Nézet said that the present economic model, heavily dictated by fuel, is now being challenged now that marine diesel has hit an average price of €1.
CNPMEM is requesting for a bonus measure for trawlers facing an unprecedented energy and financial shock.
‘Crews cannot be asked to return to sea with such drastically reduced earnings, as these are based on fuel costs, which are not passed on to the consumer. The same applies to vessel owners,’ he said, adding that the sector supports the government’s and the minister’s clearly stated desire to end energy vulnerability by opening up the possibility of European support for the renewal of a fleet with an average age of 32 years.
