‘Without backing we are finished’
Monday 7th July 2008, 2:29PM BST.
LOCAL fishermen say they may need States help in order for the industry to survive. At least one boat is up for sale on the quay and many of Guernsey’s fishermen are turning to shore-based jobs to pay bills.
Full-time fisherman Francois de Garis, 38 (pictured), said with rising fuel costs and dwindling supplies, things were tough in one of Guernsey’s oldest industries.
‘I would like to see some kind of support, because it is a struggle at the moment. The price of fuel is affecting us. It is very difficult because we can’t pass the cost on,’ said Mr de Garis.
They have seen a weekly increase of more than £600 on fuel. ‘At the end of the week, that money is coming out of our pockets,’ he said.
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Having been involved in the fishing industry for some 30 years i feel the need to reply to your article ‘Without backing we are finished’.
I along with many others feel that the industry should be left to look after itself, economic changes affect all industries at some time and it is imperative that they are not propped up in any way and simply left to adapt where necessary.
From the article we are given the impression that we will have no industry at all should no assistance be forthcoming but this is far from the case. Economies of scale will ensure we will always have fresh local fish although they may not be caught by a fleet of large (heavy fuel using) vessels but by smaller one man boats who will always continue to make their living from the sea. How about our taxi drivers,plant operators? the list of heavy fuel users is endless unyet we are portrayed as an industry expecting help.
The role of our Government is NOT to provide anybody with a living nor subsidise it, and in this respect i am somewhat suprised at Deputy Jone’s comments.
States of Guernsey concentrate on the important matters and leave people stand on their own two feet – our fisherman are adaptable by nature and our industry will survive in one form or another.
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