Nicola May skipper Shane Petit, left, and Dmitrij Pisarev and just some of the local fishermen who are experiencing difficulties due to the French port blockades and the cost of fuel when having to fish further afield because of depleted fish stocks. (Picture by Daniel Guerin, 0585231)

BLOCKADES in French ports could cripple Guernsey’s fishing industry, a local skipper has claimed. The action has put more pressure on Guernsey’s fleet at a time when fishermen are already suffering from high fuel costs.

The local fleet is unable to land its catch in France with the ‘strike’ there over fuel cost escalating. And Mick Guille, owner of Hayley B and a committee member of the Guernsey Fishermen’s Association, said he thought every local boat would be affected.

‘It could cripple the industry in the island in no time because Guernsey depends on France,’ he said. ‘It’s a worrying situation at the moment. The bulk of fish caught locally is exported through France, so we rely on it. A lot ends up in Spain and Portugal but it all goes through France.’

Mr Guille has tied up his boat in the harbour and will not fish again until the action in France is resolved.