The Secretary of State for the Sea, Hervé Berville announced Friday, July 29 to extend fuel aid for fishermen until September 30. This aid of 35 cents is supposed to relieve professionals in the sector who are suffering the consequences of the energy crisis.
After suffering the consequences of Brexit and the pandemic, fishermen are now permanently affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
Olivier Le Nezet, president of the national committee for maritime fisheries and marine farming, speaks of a ” weakened sector ” at all levels. The major problem lies in supplying trawlers with fuel. ” Fishing diesel was exclusively Russian diesel because trawlers need clean diesel. This allows for a completely even pull on their fishing activities “, he explains.
Extended help
He welcomes the aid extended until September by the current Secretary of State for the Sea. This mechanism is explained by an increase in the aid ceiling granted by the European Commission. The authorized ceiling was then 65,000 euros. It rose to 105,000 euros.
” The Minister, and I thank him for this, has made it possible to continue this aid until September 30, which will allow coastal fishing to continue its activity. It is important to be able to uncap these aids. I think it is important that the European Union realizes that there must be support knowing that the salary of sailors is directly impacted by the cost of fuel », Details Olivier Le Nezet.
The president of the national fisheries committee regrets, however, that deep-sea people, those who fish on the high seas, are not eligible for this aid. He therefore asks that the State extend its support to the entire sector.