Fishermen stage fuel prices protest

The fishermen say their livelihood is "uniquely vulnerable" to rising fuel prices and they need support from the Government to prevent the costs being passed on to customers.

The demonstration, outside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London, is timed to coincide with a meeting of fishing industry representatives and UK fisheries ministers to discuss the fuel issue.

The National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and the Scottish Fishermen's Federation have joined forces in an attempt to highlight the lack of Government support and the urgent need for ministers to provide short-term, temporary aid.

Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations, said: "Fish is sold through the auction system. This makes fishing uniquely vulnerable to rising fuel prices. This is why fishing needs support to survive as higher costs cannot simply be passed on to the consumer."

Mr Deas continued: "It is a matter of the utmost urgency that ministers put together a survival package for the fishing industry. We know that the industry must adjust to the new era of high fuel costs but this must be achieved by an orderly transition, otherwise the fallout in terms of businesses, lives and communities will be horrendous.

"We are calling on the ministers to provide the de minimis support that is being made available in other member states, like Spain and France, along with other short-term relief measures. The federations are eager to begin discussions with Government on a rescue and restructuring plan for the industry but are insistent on the need for immediate support to safeguard the future of the industry."

A spokeswoman for Defra said the Government was committed to trying to find solutions to the problems faced by the fishing industry.

She said: "We do not underestimate the difficulties many fishermen face. Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw is working with fishermen to find solutions. What is needed is a long-term approach, not just short-term assistance, that helps the fishing industry adapt to rising fuel prices.

"Jonathan Shaw is committed to working with the industry to reach decisions on issues like this together, which is why he is meeting fishermen's leaders from across the UK."