Fishermen in Catalonia are expressing deep concern over the escalating price of diesel, which has doubled following the conflict in the Middle East. This situation, according to sector representatives, jeopardizes the continuity of their activity and has already led some vessels to reduce their working days in an attempt to mitigate the economic impact.

Xavier Domènech, secretary of the Territorial Federation of Fishermen's Guilds of Tarragona, noted that some fishermen are now opting not to go out on Fridays, reserving days for the second half of the year in the hope that prices will moderate. This strategy aims to alleviate the impact of a cost that, for larger vessels such as trawlers or purse seiners, represents an additional expense of about 200 euros per day.

From the Costa Brava, Antoni Abad, president of the Catalan Federation of Guilds, highlighted the "uncertainty" facing the sector. The increase in fuel, which before the Middle East conflict cost 0.65 cents per liter and now exceeds 1.25 euros, translates into a weekly surcharge of about 1,000 euros for a large vessel, directly impacting fishermen's pockets.

The situation is particularly critical in ports such as Blanes (Selva) and Palamós (Baix Empordà), where vessels have already begun to limit fishing hours or days. Ferran Martínez, head of the Blanes guild, explained that many boats return to port earlier to save fuel. In Palamós, Miquel Mir, head of the guild, laments that the 20-cent-per-liter aid is insufficient and arrives too late, as it will not be paid until summer.

In L'Ametlla de Mar (Baix Ebre), Miquel Brull, president of the guild, demands that the Spanish government's 30-cent-per-liter discount be applied directly at port supply points, as is already done at land-based service stations. This measure would avoid bureaucratic pressure and the wait for subsidies which, according to the sector, arrive late and with unclear requirements.