Fishermen hit by soaring fuel costs following the conflict in Iran are set to receive financial relief, with State Secretary Silvio Erkens allocating 13.5 million euros to the sector. Interestingly, the funding is being drawn from a European reserve originally earmarked for sustainability projects. This pot is 70 per cent funded by the EU, with the Dutch government covering the rest, and will compensate businesses for the spike in operating costs seen since late February.
The scheme, which Erkens is currently refining in talks with industry representatives, will offer varied payouts depending on the specific needs of each company. However, there is a catch: the fund’s strict rules mean that fishermen who stayed in port to avoid high fuel prices cannot claim for lost earnings. Although Brussels gave the green light to repurpose these sustainability funds back in April, the Dutch government has only now finalised how it will distribute the money.
This emergency aid comes alongside a separate 25 million euro package previously announced to help shrimp and flatfish fishers modernise and go green. Additionally, shellfish harvesters have been allocated 10 million euros, to be distributed over the next three years. These combined measures are intended to provide both immediate survival cash and long-term support as the industry grapples with volatile energy markets.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
