252 fishing boats have been registered in Malaga province and they have remained in the port to protest the rising fuel prices. They are doing this as a means to encourage the government to help keep the fleet going. Their owners have decided to join the hauliers’ strike until Wednesday, causing the food shortage issue to accelerate. Normally, they would catch over 86,000 kilos of fish in these three days.
A number of fishermen have travelled to Almeria today to join the strikes alongside their counterparts. During the demonstration, the president of the Andalusian Federation of Fishing Associations (Faape), José María Gallart has said going out to fish now results in losing money.
Wednesday is when the fishing sector will meet with the minister, Luis Planas. The meeting will determine whether these individuals to decide to go back to work or not. The sector is also calling for the Minini regulation to be applied. This regulation provides companies with up to 30,000 euros in financial support. They also wish to be excused from making Social Security payments and claim interest-free loans should be readily available.
The 252 fishing boats in the province are situated in Marbella (42), Malaga (24), Fuengirola (44), Velez-Malaga (77) and Estepona (65). The sector employs around 850 people directly and more than 4,200 indirectly. The decrease in fresh fish is causing panic in Mercamalaga, the largest wholesale market in the area.
Following eight days of supply issues, the finishing section of the market has now written to the government’s representative in Malaga to determine whether legal action can be taken to end the strike. They have also requested their monthly rent be reduced from March 14th as a result of the impact of the strike which started on that day and is still ongoing.
