Guys down the west country complaining about the high cost of fuel, 50p litre for red. Seeking help from the government.

What about the rest of us running business's who have to pay the full cost now 120p a litre. Don't we count.

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/displa...tentPK=20465690

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With increasing world demand for energy and resources, as the huge economies of China, India etc gear up, coinciding with 'peak oil' (the amount of fuel oil that can be produced worldwide starting to tail off), energy costs will continue to spiral.

Actitivities which have a high energy input will have to adapt by finding ways of using energy far more efficiently, or become part of the past.

(Fishing gear and techniques are already being modified, boat engines replaced by more efficient power units, helping to drive down CO2 emissions)

But we are only at the start of the process, which will fundamentally affect all of our lives in the future.

The question of the viability of the fishing industry as it exists now is just one of the first signs that fundamental change is going to affect us all eventually.

Subsidy may keep the boats running for a little while longer, but the future will mean finding other less energy hungry ways of getting fish onto the consumers' plates.

Yes, there will be plenty of noise coming from that sector over huge rises in fuel costs, but the magician's wand to keep the engines turning only has so much magic.

How to stay viable in the face of rising energy costs will be a big issue not just for the fishing industry, but fore everyone.

It's interesting that within the proposed Marine Bill the loophole by which unpowered craft up to 15metres can be used to take fish for sale without needing a licence is being closed.

Perhaps DEFRA are more forward looking than we give them credit for!

Apparently the Weymouth charter boats fishing Alderney have come to a "gentleman's agreement" where they won't steam any faster than 11 knots to save fuel once across the channel! Sounds like poorer value for money to me - I'd be upset at paying 'offshore' rates to go 9 miles at most, and at a relatively pedestrian pace, unless the skippers are extending the day to compensate.
That'll serve them right for buying boats with 700+ horsepower under the bonnet which they never use.

Also at:

http://www.fishupdate.com/news/fullstory.p...el_refusal.html

The knock on effect of the fuel price hype is already happening in Scotland with many of the Prawn dredgers working closer to home. This will only add to the demise of the West coast of Scotland's inshore stocks

The price of diesel is now 64p . Some supplies have indicated that it could reach 70p in the next few weeks. Some SW beamers are laying up with many small trawlers also contemplating their futures. With the price of petrol forcasted to hit £1.50 by the summer the price of diesel will probably be nearer 90p. Cant see many beamers operating on this price but i'm sure our EU cousins will continue to receive their fuel subsidies. Whatever line f work your all in I feel we're all in for a very rocky ride.

I think the french boats don't have 'red' diesel like the uk so i would like to know just what they are actually paying and how much it is subsidised.

Wonder how our current government is going to handle the fuel situation as no doubt it is going to get worse. Panic last minute management no doubt.

Last summer when we were paying 35- 40p the french were paying 20p after they had the subsidy.

Come on anglers, let's join with our brothers on this one.

One thing that the CF industry forgets about this issue. It is that we are all affected where those involved with transportation of any sort being the worst hit. Why should they expect (and demand) to get preferencial treatment?