Fishermen ask for help as Jersey announces support

Saturday 28th June 2008, 9:30AM BST.

A FORMER fishermen’s association president wants Guernsey to mirror Jersey States’ decision to help pay its fleet’s harbour fees.

Dougal Lane (pictured), who has been a skipper for 30 years, said mooring in St Peter Port was expensive and with fuel costs high, any assistance would be welcomed.

‘It costs me £2,500 a year for my trawler and there are very few facilities,’ he said. ‘If they cut the mooring costs, it would be a great help.’ And he said that fishing boats should not have to pay more than leisure craft.

‘Cabin cruisers are just there as toys but fishing boats produce food for the island,’ he said.