Tag Archives: Paul Gilson
Fishing fuel prices leading to labour concerns and supply issues
Fuel prices for fishing vessels have risen beyond what was predicted as the worst-case scenario in April, leading to some vessels being tied up and crews walking away, seafood sector insiders have warned. Seafish, the industry body for seafood, said that fuel prices which it had expected to peak at the level of 90p per litre (all tax excluded) for the sector were now close to £1 on average at ports. High fish prices on the first sale market were helping some fishers to mitigate the impacts of fuel price increases, but some crews were more vulnerable than others to changes, said the public body. These concerns were echoed by the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations’ chairman, Paul Gilson, who said in a statement that “the price has, for several weeks, been hovering around the point where it becomes no longer viable to go to sea because earnings no longer cover costs of which fuel is the most significant component”. >click to read< 13:49
Fish Local: Leigh fisherman backs industry campaign
Following the closure of export markets in France and Belgium, the campaign, called Fish Local, asks residents to cook more locally caught fish and seafood. A website has been set up, called www.fishlocal.org, which states on its home page: “During normal times, 80% of a catch for fishermen in Kent and Essex goes to foreign markets. Due to the current covid-19 crisis, all major international and national markets for fish and shellfish have closed or are limited. “By connecting you, the local community with the local fish supply, we hope we can keep the Kent and Essex fishing industry afloat and the shops full. We are working hard with the local fishing community to bring you closer to quality, fresh fish in and around your area.” >click to read< 11:48
