It would seem that it is not only Uk fishermen that are troubled by the position they find themselves in with regard to quotas, increasingly demanding NGOs, fuel costs and a general increase in what seem unworkable rules and regulations being forced upon them In Brittany, which is home to some of the largest ports in France fishermen - including company boats - are taking action today and effectively going on strike by staying in port.
If such action were to be contemplated here in Cornwall say, it would be good to think the company boats would also mirror their Breton cousins and stay in port.
The following story comes courtesy of Le Télégramme and is translated by Google - use Google translate to interrogate any of the links (tight click to select)
Guilvinec: fishermen vote to block fishing ports [Video]
Jean Le Borgne
Threatened from all sides, Breton fishermen voted to strike on Monday at Guilvinec . They are preparing to demonstrate in Brussels and are demanding a series of measures.
Nearly 300 fishermen from Finistère voted to strike this Monday evening at Guilvinec, to protest, in particular, against threats to close the Bay of Biscay to gillnet and pelagic fishers and marine protected areas to bottom fishing. The two decisions of the Council of State and the European Commission have set fire to the powder and triggered a series of demonstrations in recent days, in Rennes and Lorient. The Morbihan port where the boats remained at the quay, Sunday, all day, while the inshore trawlers returned to their home port.
This Monday morning, the office of the National Fisheries Committee met without the presence of the Secretary of State for the Sea, Hervé Berville. "The office let him know that he can come when he has something to tell us," says Sébastien Le Prince, vice-president of the departmental fisheries committee, in front of the sailors gathered under the auction.
To read on the subject:
This Monday morning, the office of the National Fisheries Committee met without the presence of the Secretary of State for the Sea, Hervé Berville. "The office let him know that he can come when he has something to tell us," says Sébastien Le Prince, vice-president of the departmental fisheries committee, in front of the sailors gathered under the auction.
To read on the subject:
The Council of State orders the government to close fishing areas
“We are witnessing fish bashing”
Fishermen are tired of the pile of administrative constraints. "We are witnessing fish bashing of radicalised NGOs when the resource is substantial", denounces Christophe Collin. The boss of Bigouden Armament (nine 24-metre trawlers), had taken the decision a few hours earlier to keep his boats at the dock. It's four trawlers still at sea will return to Guilvinec in the coming days, in time to finish their trip.
There is no question for the shipping company of a return with empty holds, given the price of diesel for which the structured shipping companies no longer receive aid. One of the many difficulties listed by the National Fisheries Committee which calls for an increase in the ceilings.
To read on the subject
There is no question for the shipping company of a return with empty holds, given the price of diesel for which the structured shipping companies no longer receive aid. One of the many difficulties listed by the National Fisheries Committee which calls for an increase in the ceilings.
To read on the subject
End of bottom trawling: France and Spain lead the fight
Talk to the President
The list of demands is long. Grievances against the State for the delay in the payment of compensation, the lack of resources allocated to Maritime Affairs and the lack of harmonization in controls. Questions on which the representatives of the profession want to speak directly with the President of the Republic.
“Politicians need to take responsibility. Let the State take a position”, insists the vice-president of the fisheries committees on the subject of the decision to close the Bay of Biscay to fishing taken by the Council of State, due to the multiplication of accidental captures of dolphins. A decision that raises the incomprehension of Yannick Calvez, its president: “The study programs are not finished and we are closing! »
The sector at a standstill, Thursday and Friday Europe is not immune to criticism, particularly on the question of the prohibition of bottom fishing in marine protected areas. Despite the refusal of the French government, the threat worries. After the fleet exit plan, she would come to defeat the bigouden port. "It would be death for us," says the boss of Armament bigouden.
So, after heated exchanges with the Lorient fishermen demanding a vote, the general assembly ended up deciding to go beyond the proposal for a total shutdown of the sector, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 March , deciding to stay at the quay this Monday evening. A demonstration of European fishermen in Brussels should be set up in the coming days.
“Politicians need to take responsibility. Let the State take a position”, insists the vice-president of the fisheries committees on the subject of the decision to close the Bay of Biscay to fishing taken by the Council of State, due to the multiplication of accidental captures of dolphins. A decision that raises the incomprehension of Yannick Calvez, its president: “The study programs are not finished and we are closing! »
The sector at a standstill, Thursday and Friday Europe is not immune to criticism, particularly on the question of the prohibition of bottom fishing in marine protected areas. Despite the refusal of the French government, the threat worries. After the fleet exit plan, she would come to defeat the bigouden port. "It would be death for us," says the boss of Armament bigouden.
So, after heated exchanges with the Lorient fishermen demanding a vote, the general assembly ended up deciding to go beyond the proposal for a total shutdown of the sector, Thursday 30 and Friday 31 March , deciding to stay at the quay this Monday evening. A demonstration of European fishermen in Brussels should be set up in the coming days.
Case
Dolphins, bottom trawling, quotas, diesel... why fishermen are angry
Fishermen's anger: the seven reasons behind the crisis
Angry, Breton fishermen stay at the quay [Video]
After a warning shot in Concarneau, fishermen on strike this Tuesday
Jean Porcher: “We have to open up the quotas a little, there is fish”
Dolphins, bottom trawling, quotas, diesel... why fishermen are angry
Fishermen's anger: the seven reasons behind the crisis
Angry, Breton fishermen stay at the quay [Video]
After a warning shot in Concarneau, fishermen on strike this Tuesday
Jean Porcher: “We have to open up the quotas a little, there is fish”