The increase in fuel prices has directly affected Portugal’s fishing sector. According to , Paulo Comboio, fisherman and vice-president of the Peniche Mutual Fishing Shipowners Association, explains that “it is necessary to think very carefully about how fuel is spent”, reflecting the need to adapt the activity to the oil crisis and high costs.
During its routine, the “Trem” vessel often remains stationary at sea to save diesel. “I spend the night at sea, but the boat is usually stationary all the time”, says the fisherman, remembering that he currently travels fewer miles to reduce expenses and better manage the fleet’s resources.
High costs and temporary support
The last time he fueled the vessel was in mid-February, when he loaded 10,000 liters of diesel at 56 cents per liter. The publication adds that the total expense reached 5,600 euros, in a scenario in which the price of colored diesel has increased by around 50% since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
According to the same source, the government approved temporary extraordinary support, valid between April 1st and June 30th, of 10 cents per liter on diesel used by fishermen, three weeks after the first price increase. “I had colleagues who paid R$0.98 per liter”, recalls Paulo Comboio, exemplifying the disparity in the cost of fuel.
Fish price and market
For the fisherman, the increase in the price of fish at the stalls is not justified based on the current harvest. “The fish I catch is relatively cheap”, he assures, adding that, “in the last ten years, it has almost always been the same price”. He also mentions that “the price of fish does not depend on us”.
Correio da Manhã tried to obtain clarification from the Food and Economic Security Authority (ASAE) about inspection measures in relation to fish inflation, but received no response from the entity.
Sardine quotas and forecast
The sardine season is approaching and will be captured using the trawler technique, the same used by Paulo Comboio’s vessel.
According to the same source, the harvest could begin in early May, after having been suspended on December 2 last year, with catch limits that could be lower than the 34,406 tons recorded in the previous year.
The fisherman warns of the possibility of reducing quotas by up to 3 thousand tons compared to the previous year, which could lead to an increase in the price of fish sold to traders, exceeding the values practiced last year, between 80 cents and one euro per kilo.
Fleet maintenance and daily challenges
Paulo Comboio’s vessel guarantees employment for 18 workers, which the fisherman cannot give up. “If in other times a good day meant fishing between 15 and 20 tons, today a good day will mainly be one in which the price of diesel falls,” he says, highlighting the sector’s dependence on fuel and operational costs.
Despite the difficulties, Paulo Comboio maintains his routine and adapts the vessel’s management to the current reality. According to the same source, the accumulated experience allows us to optimize sea travel, avoiding unnecessary expenses and maintaining sustainable operations within market limitations.
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