Marine / Rising fuel costs could lead to job losses in fishing fleet, association warns
SHETLAND’s fishing fleet faces tie-ups and job losses as vessels are crippled by rising fuel costs, according to the local fisherman’s association.
The organisation said that due to the conflict in Ukraine the cost of marine diesel in the isles has more than doubled compared to this time last year, making fishing trips “uneconomical and local businesses unviable”.
Shetland Fishermen’s Association (SFA) is adding its voice to calls from the wider UK industry for some form of temporary support from government to sustain fishing fleets through this time of crisis – and protect the valuable food supply of fish.
Nearly 50,000 tonnes of fresh fish and shellfish were landed in Shetland alone last year, with the goods enjoyed across the world.
Over one month on from the start of hostilities in Ukraine, governments elsewhere have been grappling with global supply chain concerns – with food and energy security on consumers’ minds as prices begin to rise.
“It’s almost a forgotten fact that fishing crews help to feed the nation,” said SFA chair James Anderson, who is the skipper of Alison Kay, LK57.
“War puts things in perspective, and every household and industry across the UK is feeling the strain of rapidly rising fuel bills, but our governments need to be aware that boats have been struggling – and that we can’t keep fishing for long in the current climate.
“Already in Shetland we’ve seen crews forced to consider tying up, taking wage cuts, or being let go altogether until vessels become viable again. That won’t happen soon without a show of support for our industry, as other countries have chosen to do.”
The association said the “current mismatch of low cod quota and abundant cod stocks around Shetland compounds the fuel issue”.
“With cod having to be avoided, but also being prevalent, crews are forced to fish less efficiently – meaning their boats use more fuel than would be necessary under more realistic quota levels,” it added.
The organisation pointed to a government funded subsidy on offer to fishing fleets in in France, while the Spanish government has committed to lowering taxes at state ports and offering low-interest loans to help keep fishing vessels viable.
The association said this “allows their fleets to continue fishing, many of them in the waters around Shetland, while local boats face being tied up at the quayside”.
Industry support measures are also expected to be announced in the Republic of Ireland, and in Northern Ireland – part of the same United Kingdom – a temporary tax break for fishing vessels is being considered by ministers.
“While Shetland boats struggle on, they see governments elsewhere take action to help an industry that is clearly valued,” said SFA executive officer Daniel Lawson.
“The knock-on effects of Shetland’s fishing fleet being forced to tie up would be a hammer blow to the economy of our islands, the wider supply chain, and to the nation’s entire food supply – with more fish landed here every year than in England, Wales and Northern Ireland combined.
“Ministers need to take notice, and action, now – to help our fishing fleet keep feeding the nation.”
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