Rising diesel prices, fueled by the conflict with Iran, are becoming a serious problem for European fishing, Reuters reports. According to industry representatives, at least half of the Dutch fleet did not go to sea this week.
The effects of rising fuel costs, driven by, among others, conflict with Iran, are particularly severe for Dutch bottom minesweepers. These are units with high fuel consumption, which are responsible for approximately 7%. the entire European Union fleet. They mainly catch flat fish in the North Sea, such as sole, turbot and plaice – crucial for restaurants in Western Europe.
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Fuel costs consume all fishing profits
According to data from the VisNed association, in recent days 80-90 percent Dutch minesweepers remained in ports. The economic balance stopped tightening.
— Fuel costs equaled revenuesso fishing becomes unprofitable – points out Durk van Tuinen from the Dutch Fishermen's Association. Before the conflict, the weekly fuel cost was PLN 12,000–13,000. euro. Today it is approximately 30 thousand. euro, which is practically as much as the entire catch is worth. With such a margin, there are no funds for crew salaries.
The problems do not only concern the Netherlands. The Belgians and the British also use bottom minesweepers. European fleets fishing for fish such as cod and haddock are teetering on the verge of profitability.
Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche, emphasizes that the largest fishing countries – Spain, Italy and France – have introduced moderate support measures, but fuel price increase by 70 percent causes some vessels to give up fishing.
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The fishing industry is pressing for support from Brussels
The industry is therefore counting on help from Brussels. This week, fishermen's representatives met with the EU Commissioner for Fisheries, Costas Kadis. They call for another relaxation of state aid rules – just like after the 2022 energy crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Consumers will soon also see the effects of fuel increases. The price of salt at auctions increased from 12 to 18 euros per kilogramvan Tuinen estimates. Restaurants will either reduce portions or simply remove certain types of fish from the menu.
– If the situation does not improve, fish will disappear from menus – warns the spokesman for Dutch fishermen.
