“Before setting sail, everyone makes clever calculations,” says Dimitri Rogoff, president of the Normandy regional fisheries committee. The war in the Middle East, and the rise in fuel prices it generates, is forcing fishermen to think: is it worth going fishing? And by extension, on the stalls, this other question: will there be fish, especially for the long Easter weekend?
In recent days, several trawlers from Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) have decided, remaining at the dock. “There is not yet this kind of movement in Normandy,” explains Dimitri Rogoff. Not going out is an individual decision. For now, only a few small boats are stationary. »
Exploding costs
In any case, the profession is navigating a crest line. From 0.60 euros, the liter of tax-free diesel rose to 1.12 euros on March 31 in Port-en-Bessin. “There are ports for 1.27 euros! », Alarmed a fisherman. “I have the impression that it continues to increase week after week,” laments Jean-Marc Daubert, owner of the Espérance, a trawler based in Port-en-Bessin. “The 20 cent rebate granted by the government is not enough,” he grumbles. I think we need to go much further. »
Especially since the boats now go further out to sea than during the scallop fishing season in the Bay of Seine which has just ended. “We take up to 12 hours to get to our fishing spot, knowing that we consume 60 to 80 liters per hour,” explains Jean-Marc Daubert who sees the bill exploding. “Usually, we add 6,000 euros of diesel per week,” explains the fisherman. There, we go up to 9,500 or even 10,000 euros. » Not to mention all the additional costs (gasoline for delivery trucks, fishing equipment), which are also increasing.
“It’s time to support French fishing! »
“The 20 cents is a step but it won’t last long and it’s still too expensive. Everyone is impacted,” warns Jérôme Vicquelin, another professional. The bar of 1 euro per liter is an advance as an average benchmark limit of profitability. However, diesel is higher. “If it continues like this, there will inevitably be a shortage at some point,” predicts Jean-Marc Daubert. In addition, several trawlers will go through the maintenance box soon. “There won’t be many fish left at the auction…”, projects Jérôme Vicquelin.
In this slump, some good news is emerging even if it remains fragile. “Fish prices are good and we remain profitable,” confides Jean-Marc Daubert. But it would be enough for us to return to the average price of other years for us to no longer be so.” For Dimitri Rogoff, these fresh products are well valued. Although he does not rule out the risk of shortages, he calls for fishing to continue and sends another message to consumers: “now is the time to buy fish to support French fishing!” » And avoid plunging Easter into the trough of the wave…