Fuel crisis puts european fishers’ livelihoods at risk: ETF calls for urgent EU intervention

The European fishing sector is once again plunging into a state of emergency. A rapid and dramatic surge in fuel prices, triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, is threatening to paralyze the EU fishing fleet and, more importantly, the workers who keep it running.

This is not just an economic hurdle for vessel owners; it is a direct threat to the wages, safety, and job security of thousands of fishers across Europe.

While this affects the transport sector as a whole, fishers suffer the consequences in a uniquely immediate and personal way, as rising fuel costs directly impact their wages, safety, and ability to work. For many workers in this sector, remuneration is based on the “share system” (remuneration “on the catch”). Under this model, crew wages are directly linked to the profitability of each fishing trip after operational costs – primarily fuel – are deducted. With fuel prices skyrocketing, the consequences for workers are devastating:

• Diminishing wages: as fuel costs impact even more the operational costs, the remaining “share” for the crew is shrinking to minimal levels.
• Operational loss: in many ports, fuel prices have surged by more than 70% in a matter of days, reaching levels where operational expenses now exceed revenues for many fishing businesses, paralysing segments of the fleet.
• Making a bad situation worse: this crisis aggravates a sector already struggling with many difficulties and attractiveness for young workers.

The responsibility to address this energy crisis cannot be shifted solely to National Institutions. A coordinated, EU-wide response is the only way to prevent a dramatic impact on the sector and its workforce.

The ETF stands with other industry representatives and Advisory Councils in demanding that the European Commission swiftly activate emergency support mechanisms. To protect the workers and the future of the sector, we call for:

• Activation of the EU temporary crisis framework: Similar to the measures taken during the 2022 energy crisis, this framework must be deployed to allow for rapid support.
• Mobilization of EMFAF crisis instruments: The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) must be used immediately to support the fleets and workers most affected by the exceptional increase in fuel prices.
• Adaptation of state aid rules: We support the proposal to temporarily adapt state aid rules so that Member States can provide urgent support to their fleets.
• Exceptional market measures: Activation of measures within the Common Fisheries Policy to mitigate the economic impact of this situation.

We urge the Commission and Commissioner Costas Kadis and DG MARE to recognize the human element of this crisis. We need emergency measures now to keep vessels at sea, protect jobs, and ensure that the fishers who provide food for Europe are not the ones paying the ultimate price for global instability.

The ETF has previously sent an open letter to Ursula von der Leyen and published a statement on the fuel crisis’ effect on the aviation sector.