Fishermen from the southeast will protest in Dublin city centre today over soaring fuel costs and the impact of State controls on the Irish fleet.
The alleged “heavy handed” approach of Sea Fisheries Protection Authority officers and rising diesel bills will be the main focus of up to 100 skippers and owners from the southeast who plan to march to Leinster House.
The group of protesters are not supported officially by the main fishing industry organisations, representatives of which held talks with the new Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Brendan Smith, yesterday on issues such as diesel price rises.
However, Chaz Bates of Kilmore Quay, spokesman for the protesters, said that frustration was at such a level that skippers and crew believed they had to demonstrate.
Fuel bills are now consuming over 60 per cent of a boat’s gross earnings, and the Irish South and West Fishermen’s Organisation has called on the Minister to establish an immediate task force to examine all options.