MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Galicia fleet receives funds to face fuel costs

The Galicia fishing sector has received 7,5 million Euros in support aid to face soaring fuel costs, revealed Juan Carlos Martin Fragueiro Spain's head of Maritime Fisheries, who rejected claims that the Spanish government had not honoured its commitment.

Several of Galicia's main fish markets, La Coruña, Vigo, Marin, Celeiro and Burela, shut down on Monday to protest the "lack of government interest" in the plight of fishing vessels owners.

Mr. Fragueiro who visited Vigo for the inauguration of Conexmar said that the Spanish government is also considering support credits for 1,447 vessels totalling 200 million. Euros and challenged the most "belligerent" protesting organizations to reveal the dates and exact benefit amounts which they have already collected because the Ministry has all the information and "would like to discuss it with them".

"I have the list of transfers, dates, current accounts, amounts and I'm willing to make them public", he cautioned. As to the inactivity in several of Galicia's main fish markets, Mr. Fragueiro said the Ministry of Agriculture is scheduled to meet with fisheries organizations in the coming week to address the issue.

"Inactivity is costing us half a million Euros per day", said Jose Luis Otero manager of La Coruña fish market which closed Monday. Similarly Jose Antonio Suarez Llanos manager of Vigo's ship owners' cooperative claimed daily losses of 800.000 Euros

"Monday we work at full capacity because we supply clients from all over Spain and it's the strongest day for deep-sea and coastal fishing", he added.

Torcuato Texeira president of Galicia Fishing Producers Organization emphasized that "at this rate losses in Galicia will quickly reach 25 million Euros", and warned that if the government "doesn't react" the sector will enforce more "convincing measures".

"Support so far has been insufficient. In France fishing companies are helped with funds when the litre of gas oil exceeds 30 cents. In Spain we're currently paying 50 cents", argued Mr. Texeira.

Mr. Fragueiro said that besides the 200 million Euros under consideration, "a hundred vessels will be receiving over 60 million Euros in credit and a direct subvention of 12 million Euros, during five years, and credits are at zero interest may I remind you".

From Madrid Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Minister Elena Espinosa said that the price of fuel "can't be the one and only cause" for the fishing sector hardships. "Other factors are involved and we are willing to talk about them and give a hand".

Carmen Gallego, Galicia Fisheries Counselor agreed with the Minister saying that the central government is helping out with fuel costs but the industry "faces structural problems that must be addressed".

Fisheries organizations have been summoned to Madrid next Monday October 10 to meet with Minister Elena Espinosa.