THERE are no plans to give fishermen financial support. Commerce and Employment minister Carla McNulty Bauer (pictured) said the department would not be rushing into a knee-jerk reaction.

‘There are few industries not affected by rising fuel costs,’ she said in answer to a question in the House from Deputy David De Lisle.

He said that the Spanish government had a package to subsidise fishermen’s high fuel costs and France was investing 310m. Euros in a three-year programme for its fishermen. hat package of support is being offered to our fishermen to sustain a fishing industry in the island?’ he asked.

Deputy McNulty Bauer said she was aware of the protests in Europe but added that the UK had no plans to offer financial aid and nor did Commerce and Employment, but she did say it was important to build confidence within the industry. ‘ouring money on will not make it more sustainable long term,’ she said.