Fishing bodies warning over fuel costs

A number of European sea fishing organisations today called for action from the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries to deal with rising fuel costs.

This morning, a delegation representing the Association of National Organisations of Fishing Enterprises in the EU, the European Association of Fish Producers Organisations, and the General Committee for Agricultural Cooperation in the EU met European Commissioner Joe Borg.

They fishing bodies involved said the delegation “expressed to him in graphic detail” the 320 per cent increase in fuel prices over the last five years, the 40 per cent increase of fuel prices since January 2008, the 25 per cent cut in prices of some fishery products since January this year and fish prices at the same level as 20 years ago.

“The delegation made it absolutely clear to the commissioner that in the present circumstances, it is no longer economically viable for the European fishing fleet to continue to operate, in spite of the major restructuring plans in course.”

The delegation said that during a “constructive meeting”, it reminded Mr Borg of the differences and specificities of the fisheries, “and in particular the fact that fishermen are unable to pass on fuel price increases to buyers”.

“Fishermen are price takers and not price makers”.

The Irish South and West Fishermen's Organisation recently warned that fish may be off the menu for Irish people if the Government does not take action over the rise in fuel prices.

An "alarming" rise in the cost of diesel means skippers can no longer afford to go to sea, as wholesale fish prices have also dropped, said Gerard O'Flynn, chief executive of the organisation.

Diesel prices have almost doubled since May 2001, when a litre cost 74.9 cent, and they have risen significantly more than petrol, which was 87.6 cent a litre seven years ago.

Ireland is the second most expensive euro zone country for diesel, but is one of the cheapest of the 12 countries for petrol. Diesel prices, traditionally lower than petrol, surpassed petrol prices in December and have remained higher since then.