Rising fuel prices are having a devastating effect on Europe's fisheries industry. The current crisis was discussed on Wednesday 25 June by MEPs in the Fisheries Committee, of which Kathy is a member. MEPs heard from representatives of the fishing industry about the pressure the industry is under with fuel up 40% since January.
On 19th June in Strasbourg, the Parliament passed a resolution supporting fishermen and calling on more state aid to be afforded to Europe's fishermen. In particular Kathy and other MEPs called on the European Commission to reconsider it rules of state aid and allow a maximum of 100,000 euros of aid per boat rather than by fishing company. At present this ceiling of possible aid for fishing companies only. This could greatly increase aid to fishermen. In July the Parliament will have the opportunity to take a decision on initial emergency measures.

A sign of the extent of the pressure on the fishing industry is that over the last five years the costs of fishing have risen by 320%. Since January this year the cost of landing fish has jumped by 40% alone.
Kathy has attended a number of meetings with Irish fishermen. She has written to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to draw his attention to the growing and justified frustrations of Irish fishermen.
Said Kathy "I think the concerns of our fishermen beg some extremely serious questions about low quotas and even lack of quota, the rising cost of fuel, criminalisation of fishermen, the amount of fish that are being dumped and wasted to complying with polices and an unbalanced approach to marine management that has fishermen at odds with environmentalists when they should be allies. These and other problems threaten the very existence of our fishing industry. It is unacceptable that an island nation with committed and experienced fishermen should be faced with this possiblity. It is very important that a way is found to alleviate the hardship and suffering endured by these fishermen. It is also important the fishermen themselves are included in all decisions about the management of our coastal waters and its resources. I hope that some relief can be organised in the short term for our fishing industry and in the long term, with the help and experience of fishermen, we can develop a sustainable and profitable Irish Fishing Industry."