From her fish shop in Tourlaville, Sophie Leroy sees the diesel burn. The boss of the Armement cherbourgeois, which operates five fishing boats in Cherbourg, has made her accounts: “A year ago, a liter of diesel-fishing (tax-free, for the profession) was €0.35. And here we are at €1.04″. However, ships are greedy:
For a week, we put 14,000 liters of diesel per boat. We go from around €4,500 to more than €10,000.”
A cost item that has become colossal, which has a direct impact on the wages of sea fishermen. Their collective agreement provides for the distribution of profits from artisanal fishing. “The fish is sold at auction. From the sums collected, the costs of the boat, including diesel, are deducted. _So the more costs there are, the less wages there are at the end of the chain.”_The remuneration of sailors has therefore melted in one year.
This increase in the price of fuel threatens the profitability of trawlers. The question arises whether to continue – or not – sea trips. Sophie Leroy confirms: “We are very close to that. We manage day by day. Today, the boats are at sea, but tomorrow, if at auction, the fish is worth nothing and the diesel continues to increase, I will not be able to continue sending boats to burn fuel for fun.” The owner hopes that the consumer will keep his taste for fish and will continue to go to the restaurant to taste it…
If trips to sea were to be interrupted, sailors would no longer receive income. The profession is therefore hoping for a gesture from the government in the face of this crisis at the pump, for fishermen too.