There is no denying fact that the fuel prices has increased so enormously in recent days and this has marred the living of fishermen all over the world as they cannot pass on the fuel surcharge to the customers. In America fishing industry is badly affected as the commercial fishermen may soon call it quits for good as they failed to bear the costs of soaring fuel prices.
In Alaska, boats that typically haul in rockfish and perch sit docked for prolonged periods. In Texas, shrimpers are traveling to Mexico just to buy cheaper diesel. And along the East Coast, lobstermen are making fewer trips to their traps. Bill Adler, executive director for the Massachusetts Lobstermen’s Association, told that fishermen have no choice as the dealer offers a price and its take it or leave it situation.
In addition to all these woes US fishermen have in recent years faced increasing pressure to keep prices down because of low-cost imports and farmed fish. Jimmie Ruhle, president of the trade group Commercial Fishermen of America and a third generation fisherman out of Wanchese, North Carolina, said that no one is predicting an industry collapse just yet, but fishermen and seafood economists say conditions have deteriorated to the point where some captains are considering leaving the business.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, last week introduced legislation that would provide commercial fishermen a temporary income tax credit to help them offset the high cost of fuel. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin last week asked the state Legislature to offer low-interest loans to local fishermen looking to purchase fuel-efficient engines.
