The west-coast fishing industry is being “crippled” by soaring fuel costs, industry leaders warned yesterday.
They claim the price they pay for fuel has more than doubled in just two years – and around half the operating costs of a four-man fishing boat is spent on diesel.
Traditionally, fuel costs were about 25% of fishermen’s gross earnings.
And last night, one leading fisherman warned: “If nothing is done about this, there will be no fishing industry and no seafood.”
John MacAlister, chairman of the Mallaig and North-West Fishermen’s Association, said: “I don’t think the general public realises the stage we are at. Fishing is being totally crippled by fuel costs. There is a fuel crisis in every fishing community in Scotland.”
Mr MacAlister, who operates two prawn trawlers and six scallopers out of Oban, said it now costs him up to £30,000 a fortnight to run his boats after dramatic increases forced boat diesel prices up from 20p a litre two years ago to 45p a litre today.
But he insists west coast fishermen are worst hit because they have further to travel to processors in Peterhead, Fraserburgh, Fort William and Glasgow, forcing them to pay more for overland transport.
He said: “The government will put the industry out of business with the rises in fuel costs. It is not fair to say fuel must go up because of climate change and conservation. This is only forcing skippers to fish harder which is no good for conservation.
“The skippers are under a commitment to make the thing pay. If we had fuel prices at a fair working level boats wouldn’t go so hard.
“Fishermen are paid on a share basis. It means the crews are getting less money. They are having to take a deduction in pay because the high fuel costs are eating into the boats’ profits.”
And Peter Tosh, manager of Oban-based vessel agent Caley Fisheries, said: “If it does continue, one or two vessels will have to go up for sale. I know some are struggling. I’m dreading this year.”
Tony Kenning, of Mallaig, who operates three prawn trawlers, described the situation as “desperate”.
He added: “It is very hard the way it’s going up and up – we are getting no more money for the product. We are finding it very difficult to work at the current level.
“Our products go for sale in France and Spain. The French and Spanish are getting help for their fuel bills from their governments. They are getting the same price for their product as we are, but they are getting cheaper fuel. It is not a level playing field.”
Ian Gatt, president of the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation, who fishes for prawns out of Fraserburgh, and who has trawled off the west coast, said: “Traditionally you would see fuel costs being 20-25% of gross earnings. Now it is nearer 50%.
“It is very difficult. The fact is you can’t pass these costs on to anybody. It becomes very difficult long term to live. I don’t know how it will end up. Hopefully things might change. It doesn’t look good if we continue long term.”
Mr Gatt agreed that fishermen on the west coast are being hit hardest.
“I know they are finding the fuel price extremely hard. There is very little processing on the west coast so travelling is an additional cost. In general, fuel is a bit more expensive than it is in the north-east – that is a fact of life.”
Mike Park, executive chairman of the Scottish White Fish Producers Association, is based at Stonehaven, but his boat is currently at Kinloch-bervie on the west coast.
He claimed it was not necessarily the case that those in the west are worse off.
Mr Park said: “While the product has to travel further the vessels don’t have to travel further because the waters tend to be further inshore.”
But he agreed that fuel cost is a problem throughout Scotland which is leading to cuts in wages for crew.
He added: “I think we will see consolidation in the industry – two vessels selling up and consolidating all their quota into one vessel.”