High fuel costs leave half of Dutch fishing fleet idle
High diesel prices have forced half of the Dutch fishing fleet to stay in port. Industry leaders seek EU aid as fuel costs now equal total vessel revenue.
The European fishing industry is emerging as an early casualty of the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, with soaring diesel costs forcing at least half of the fleet in the Netherlands to remain in port. The pressure is particularly acute for Dutch operators due to their reliance on beam trawlers, which constitute approximately 7% of the European Union's total fleet. While these vessels target high-value North Sea flatfish such as sole, turbot, and brill, their operations require significant amounts of fuel. According to the industry group VisNed, between 80% and 90% of these trawlers did not sail this week. Durk van Tuinen, a spokesperson for the Dutch Fishers Union, noted that weekly fuel bills have skyrocketed from pre-war levels of 12,000 to 13,000 euros to nearly 30,000 euros. This figure often equals the total market value of the fish caught during a single trip, leaving no funds to pay the crew. > Now the fuel bill is equal to the revenue, so it simply does not work. The economic strain is felt beyond Dutch borders. Daniel Voces, managing director of Europêche, stated that fleets in Belgium and the United Kingdom also utilize beam trawlers and are facing similar hardships. Furthermore, vessels targeting groundfish like cod and haddock across Europe are currently operating at or near loss-making levels. Although top fishing nations such as Spain, Italy, and France have introduced modest support measures, a 70% increase in fuel costs has left many crews unwilling to go to sea. In response to the crisis, industry leaders met with EU fisheries chief Costas Kadis this week to request a relaxation of state aid rules. This move seeks to replicate the support framework established during the energy crisis that followed the invasion of Russia into Ukraine in 2022. Without intervention, the impact on consumers is expected to be significant, characterized by tighter supply and higher retail prices. Market data already reflects these tensions, with the auction price of sole jumping from 12 euros to 18 euros per kilogram this week. Van Tuinen warned that as costs rise, restaurants may be forced to serve smaller portions to maintain their margins or stop purchasing certain species altogether, potentially leading to fish disappearing from many menus.
