Pressure on Shaw to Deliver on Fuel Support

Fisheries Minister, Jonathan Shaw, has again been urged to put a support package in place for the fishing industry in view of further surges in the price of fuel oil “as a matter of extreme urgency.”  The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) has underlined that the points made directly to the Minister last week (Wednesday 14th May, 2008) about the impact of record high fuel prices have taken on an added intensity as fuel costs have continued to rise, Barrie Deas, Chief Executive, of the NFFO, said:

“Every sector of the fishing fleet is now suffering badly.  The NFFO has received calls from every part of the coast, graphically describing landings where the largest part of the vessel’s earnings is swallowed by fuel costs.  Vessels are tying up as there is not a living to be made by crews.”

“Fishing is unique in being unable to pass higher costs of production on to the consumer because of its reliance on the auction system.  This places a strong obligation on to the Government to support the industry through this intensely difficult period.”

“The Minister made a commitment to examine all the options that we suggested for short term industry support.  We are now calling on him to deliver as a matter of urgency.”

“We recognise and understand that the era of low fuel prices is over, but the fishing industry must be provided with a breathing space to make the adjustment to lower fuel usage and higher fuel costs.  We agree with the Minister when he says that he wants short term support to be linked to a longer term strategy.  But the priority at present has to be support to help vessels survive.”