The financial aid granted to fishermen to cope with the increase in fuel prices, which was initially due to end on Sunday, is extended until December 4, announced Thursday, October 12, the Secretary of State for the Sea, Hervé Berville, after a meeting with fishermen in Guilvinec (Finistère).
Demanded by fishermen claiming to be playing for their survival, the extension of this cash flow aid closes a stormy chapter in relations between professionals and government.
At the end of September, Mr. Berville confirmed the end of this aid on October 15, explaining that it was not possible to extend this system outside the European framework, arousing the anger of fishermen. The latter had denounced “the disengagement of the State” and demanded a rapid response to the “cataclysm” experienced by the sector due to the cost of fuel.
Fishermen “relieved”
The government finally reversed course, extending the aid until early December. “It’s the response to the emergency”said Mr. Berville.
This system is still part of the European “temporary framework”, which currently runs until the end of 2023 for the effective granting of aid, after transmission of all aid requests – knowing that the deadlines for transmission of documents are generally estimated at one month.
Several fishermen interviewed by Agence France-Presse said they were relieved by the continuation of this emergency aid, but are still calling for measures to “sustain fishing”judging in particular the dramatic situation of deep-sea vessels, which consume more fuel to reach the high seas.