The fishing industry is facing a perfect storm of circumstances that must be addressed urgently by the Government to avoid permanent damage to the sector, according to representative groups.
Fishing organisations are due to meet with Minister for the Marine Charlie McConalogue on Wednesday to demand action to address the surging cost of fuel that they say is forcing many fishermen to stay in port.
The rising cost of fuel is compounding the already significant strain on the industry caused by Brexit and the Covid pandemic, fishers say.
According to Aodh O’Donnell, chief executive of the Irish Fish Producers Organisation, said many boats can’t run profitably in the current circumstances.
“We are looking at fuel costing €1.30 per litre or more, it has effectively doubled in cost in less than a year.”