French fishermen face financial strain from rising diesel costs

French fishermen are facing significant financial pressure due to rising diesel prices. Despite benefiting from tax-exempt fuel, the cost of specialized fishing diesel has doubled since the beginning of the year, reaching an average of 1.21 euros per liter in early October, according to the Amarrée observatory.

The impact is most severe for large vessels using bottom trawling methods, which consume vast amounts of fuel. Researchers from Ifremer note that fuel costs can account for 25% to 30% of total turnover for these operations. Because fish prices are fixed at auction and fishing is restricted by quotas, operators have little ability to pass increased costs to consumers or increase volume to compensate.

Jérôme Nicol, operational director of the Keroman artisanal fishing armament (Apak), stated that the situation leaves them “completely stuck.” The rising costs also directly affect crew members, whose wages are tied to fishing revenue, with estimated monthly losses ranging between 200 and 600 euros. Smaller coastal vessels using lines or nets are less affected than larger, energy-intensive trawlers.