By Euronews
Published on
Resource management, fuel prices, foreign competition – pressing issues for French fishermen and other actors in the maritime sector to discuss at their meeting in Cherbourg.
In April, fishermen protested against high fuel prices from Normandy to the French Mediterrenean island of Corsica.
The recent framework deal signed between Iran and the US is giving fishermen hope for a decrease in energy prices.
Fuel represented up to 60% of ship owners’ turnover in May. As a result, some professionals have had to decrease their sea outings.
In this situation, the French government adopted some measures in April to support French fishing companies.
An aid of 20 cents per litre of fuel in April and of 35 cents per litre in May, were set.
In total, the government said €13 million would be dedicated to the fishing sector for fuel consumption in April and May.
In the English Channel, fishermen also have to coexist with aquaculture, offshore wind farms and maritime transport.
Small fishermen hope the French coastal strip will soon be out of bounds to ships measuring over 25 metres.
On the Atlantic coast, fishing might temporarily be prohibited next year in the Bay of Biscay to protect dolphins.
Last but not least, fishermen are calling for measures to modernise and decarbonise fishing vessels.