NORWEGIAN FISHERMEN HIGHLIGHT SHRIMP INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

Norwegian fishermen highlight shrimp industry challenges Politicians from both the governing parties and other parties have once again been taken out fishing to understand the shrimp industry’s special challenges with fuel costs.

“The fact that the government on Sunday came up with new electricity support measures for most people, and announced a scheme for the business world, increases my hope that our expectations will also be met,” says leader of Fiskerlaget Sør, Lennart Danielsen.

Shrimp fisherman Dagfinn Pettersen describes his everyday life as an ongoing state of crisis.

He recently hosted when four politicians and four local media houses were invited to go shrimp fishing out of Grimstad.

The aim of the trip was both to talk about the challenges faced by the shrimp industry, but not least also to show it in practice at sea, what consequences today’s diesel prices and the tax regime linked to the CO tax have for those who fish.

Leader of the Norwegian Fishermen’s Association, Kåre Heggebø, believes it is now important that the Storting and government also remember the part of the fishing industry that is primarily affected by the sharp increases in fuel costs.

“It is positive that there will be a power support scheme for businesses as well, but for the prawn fishermen and a number of other fisheries, it is the sky-high fuel prices that stop operations. Fisheries are about to stop, and this affects both the food supply and jobs in the entire value chain. The situation is critical, “says Kåre Heggebø.

Norway’s Fishermen’s Association has been working on measures related to the high fuel prices for a long time, and has, among other things, put in place a scheme for joint fishing in fishing for mackerel. There is, however, a need for more measures, and anything that can contribute to reduced costs in carrying out fishing must be on the table.

“We have a number of regulations in the fisheries for which there can normally be good reasons, but in the extraordinary situation we now find ourselves in, all stones must be turned over to find measures that reduce costs. The fishermen’s association has come up with several proposals, and we will continue the dialogue with the political authorities,” says Kåre Heggebø.

It was the Fishermen’s Association Sør in dialogue with Storting representative Marius Arion Nilsen who invited representatives from the governing parties to the sea. Nilsen has had close contact with Fiskerlaget Sør and several fishermen over a long period of time. This is a contact that Lennart Danielsen, leader of Fiskerlaget Sør in particular, has contributed to.

Nilsen tells Grimstad Adressetidende that he thinks the consequences will be big if the problems persist.

“Southern prawns and the coastal fishery may disappear. Then there are around a thousand jobs and around two billion in turnover that are lost. There is a fairly large proportion of people and money involved here, points out the parliamentary representative.

“As an industry, we are happy that politicians listen and take the time to familiarize themselves with our challenges. It was great to bring key and interested politicians on board on Friday. When at the same time on Sunday we see that the government is promising increased electricity support to consumers from 1 September, it gives me both hope and expectation that our industry will now also meet,” says Lennart Danielsen.

He also repeated points for the visitors related to the ripple effects the industry also creates in the South.

Lennart Danielsen says the fishermen have a great workplace at sea and are proud to run a sustainable harvesting of the resources.

“At the same time, we are facing a serious problem now. The energy crisis and the price picture are such that it can bring the entire industry to a pause or a complete halt.

He points out that one job at sea provides 2.3 jobs on land. If one or two boats disappear in Grimstad, there are enormous consequences, he says, referring to the high fuel prices and the CO tax as the main reasons.

“We want the CO tax to be removed, and that the fishermen receive a fuel subsidy of four to five kroner for the rest of the year. In addition, something must come into the state budget. We have asked for between 50 and 60 million to save the industry. I don’t think there is much money to save this value creation, he pointed out to the guests on board “Vågan”.

Pettersen called on the politicians that measures must be taken quickly, which he also received support from deputy mayor Lene Langemyr in Grimstad.

She points out to the local newspaper that it is important to initiate immediate measures to save the industry.

“Fishing has a long tradition in Grimstad and is extremely important for our town. It is extremely important to initiate immediate measures so that this industry can survive,” says the deputy mayor.

Source