French fishermen blockade oil depots to protest rising fuel costs

French fishermen across the Mediterranean coast are conducting a series of protests and blockades to demand government intervention against soaring diesel prices and increasing regulatory burdens. The mobilization has targeted strategic locations, including an oil depot in Frontignan, a refinery in Fos-sur-Mer, and the port of Sète, where protesters have occasionally disrupted ferry services.

Industry representatives, including Ange Natoli, state that fuel costs have risen from approximately 30% to as much as 80% of their turnover, making many operations unprofitable. Protesters have expressed frustration with both European Union regulations and French state management, with some demonstrators using slogans such as “Europe is killing us.”

Law enforcement, including CRS riot police, have been deployed to clear blockades, such as the one at the Frontignan depot, which was dispersed without major incident. Fishermen are awaiting a scheduled meeting with the Minister for the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, to discuss potential increases in state fuel subsidies and relief from administrative constraints. They have warned that the movement will intensify if no significant concessions are made.