JERSEY’S fishing fleet is struggling amid huge increases in fuel costs and is unable to compete on a level playing field with its French counterparts, who are receiving emergency government subsidies, according to an industry representative.
Don Thompson, president of the Jersey Fishermen’s Association, said that the price of marine fuel had almost trebled since the start of 2022 and boats were having to return to harbour sooner than they were used to due to the extra cost.
‘The rises over the last two weeks have been the biggest seen in history. The price of fuel is getting close to treble what it was at the start of the year,’ he said.
‘We are used to seeing the price of fuel maybe going up by 0.5p, 1p or 1.5p in a week, not going up 10p in back-to-back weeks. The rate of rise is absolutely incredible.
‘Fuel makes up a significant part of a boat’s running costs. What we have seen is that boats are going out and then having to come back home sooner than they would have. That affects their level of catch.’
This week the French government announced it would be providing fuel subsidies as various sectors and the population struggle to cope with rising costs brought on by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mr Thompson said local fishermen were aggrieved that their French counterparts who use the Island’s waters were receiving support, while they were not.
‘What’s really upsetting the boys at the moment is that Jean Castex, the French Prime Minister, announced a subsidy for the French fleet while the local boats are receiving absolutely nothing,’ he said. ‘So the 130 French boats which are licensed to use Jersey waters and are using our waters are receiving support. It’s already been a hard couple of years for the fleet – dealing with Brexit and Covid-19 – and we were promised support by the government.
‘I have written to the [Environment] minister [John Young] and [Assistant Environment Minister] Deputy Gregory Guida about this, but have had no response.’
He added that he believed the French boats receiving government support could ‘contravene’ level-playing-field regulations under the post-Brexit trade agreement between the UK and EU, which Jersey was party to.
‘I would be interested to know whether the action of the French government is illegal in the context of our trade agreement,’ he said.
‘Jersey’s fishing has had a tense relationship with its French counterparts since Brexit, with both sides discontented with a new regime where all licences were issued by the Island’s authorities for commercial usage of its waters.’
