French fishermen maintain pressure despite increase in fuel aid

Sea professionals are not slowing down. Since Monday, fishermen have been mobilizing across France, blocking oil depots in Fos-sur-Mer, in Bouches-du-Rhône, or even in Frontignan, in Hérault, where around a hundred fishermen mobilized again this Thursday morning. The objective: to denounce the surge in fuel prices and the continued “degradation” of their living conditions. Sébastien Lecornu's announcement on Wednesday to increase fuel aid from 25 to 35 cents for fishermen did not defuse the discontent: "These 10 cents are smoke and mirrors because the price of fuel has increased," Ange Natoli, fisherman in Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhône), was indignant yesterday to AFP.

For maritime professionals, targeted aid on fuels, extended until December 31, has nevertheless reached “their maximum level authorized by the European Commission to allow ships to continue to go out to sea”, after a downward adjustment this summer to take into account the drop in prices, argued the Prime Minister's services. But professionals in the fishing sector demand something else: meet the Minister of Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, in person, and negotiate strong measures.

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“Total mobilization”

A request granted this Thursday, the Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fisheries having announced that she would receive representatives of the Mediterranean fishing industry at 11 a.m. On the agenda: discuss “solutions to be provided and take stock of the Government’s support for fishermen in the face of rising fuel costs”. A meeting from which fishermen expect a lot. The objective is “to show that we are not letting go of the pressure. And depending on what is said tomorrow, we will judge the continuation of the movement,” insisted Ange Natoli to AFP.