Five of the twelve local trawlers have been tied up all week because the cost of fishing now exceeds the potential earnings at market.

This is because of the rise in diesel costs, owing to the American/Israel attack on Iran and its response.

According to the Head Skipper of the Motril Fishermen’s Guild, Ignacio López, it’s not only a case of costs but also the drop in prices paid for fish at the market. The combination of both factors means that the boat owners can’t afford to cover basic running costs, such as wages for the crew.

Fuel for a week’s work has jumped from 400 to 740 euros. Whilst gasolineras saw modest increases for drivers, fishermen report paying 60 cents more per liter.

Furthermore, if you do take the trawler out for a week of fishing, especially if you’re working the Moroccan fishing grounds, you’re looking at needing 7,000 litres of fuel.

But it’s one thing after the other because back in February there was a biological halt to fishing to let stocks recuperate, and went they all went out in March, there was too much offer, as the market was suddenly swamped, compared with actual demand so the prices paid to fishermen were too low.

So, remaining in port waiting for fish prices to climb is a gamble and not a strike because they are only allowed to fish a certain number of days, so they are playing their quota usage because days tied up don’t count.

(News: Motril, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Diesel Costs, Low Fish Prices, Trawlers, US–Israel War on Iran, Tied Up, Fishing days quota

news, andalucia, granada, costa torpical, motril, diesel costs, low fish prices, trawlers, us–israel war on iran, tied up, fishing days quota