– It’s not pleasant anymore. When you have to ask for permission from the bank to go out, it’s kind of fun, says shrimp fisherman Ivar Kanten. He has been a shrimp fisherman at Hvasser in Færder since 1997 and has had a decent annual salary. But even with 16 hours in the boat four days a week, he now does not sit back with a couple of thousand kroner once. Therefore, he usually leaves the boat ashore. But even rural areas cost several hundred thousand kroner a year. – I mean I can not afford to go out and fish, because I’m not sure if I’ll be able to pay for the diesel when I come in again. Shrimp fisherman Ivar Kanten believes that diesel prices mean that fishermen do not receive a salary, but only expenses. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news In addition to help with the cost of fuel, Kanten believes the price of shrimp must go up. He thinks the fishermen should get closer to 300 kroner a kilo as in Sweden. The sale price will then be between 500 and 600 kroner per kilo. – We can all buy shrimp at the store, but then they are not from here. Being able to buy freshly shrimp is exclusive and part of our identity. Fisherman colleague Tor-Egil Klugerbo says that he has 50,000 kroner more in diesel expenses every month and now has to consume saved funds. – Diesel prices are sky high, and I lose money. Before the summer, I had to spend 25,000 kroner from the savings account every month. Labor mayors along the coast demand measures Labor mayors in nine coastal municipalities in southern Norway believe the situation is precarious and have requested a meeting with the Minister of Fisheries and the Minister of Finance to discuss relief measures. Among other things, they will have back the “old” compensation scheme for the CO₂ tax on fuel so that the fishermen will again be able to repay parts of what they have paid in on an ongoing basis. They also believe that fishermen must receive financial assistance for fuel. – We see that in our neighboring countries, fishermen are compensated for some of the high fuel costs. The fishermen here must get it too. They have no other choice, says Mona Vauger, Labor Party mayor in Hvaler. Mayor Mona Vauger in Hvaler believes that fishermen as a primary industry must be helped, just like farmers. Photo: Frida Synnøve Høyås / news Vauger points out that there are 350 man-years in the shrimp fishery in the south and up to 900 man-years in the entire value chain. – After the oil, we will focus on what the sea can provide, and then we must take care of infrastructure. We must have knowledge, buildings and boats available and then we must ensure that the fishermen can maintain their business. Fear of bankruptcy wave Fiskarlaget Vest and Fiskerlaget Sør fear a bankruptcy wave in a short time if nothing is done. – Around eight boats are on the verge of bankruptcy. They have no money left and have to chalk diesel. It is a loss to go to sea. The entire fishing industry in the south is at stake, says Lennart Danielsen, leader of Fiskerlag Sør. He himself went bankrupt this autumn. The fishing teams will remove the entire CO₂ tax throughout the year and have NOK 5 per liter in fuel support. They believe it will cost between 50 and 60 million kroner to save the industry in the south for the rest of the year. – Many hang in a very thin thread. Not just the individual fisherman. Here, several houses and homes are lost and it goes beyond the fish receptions. Several billion kroner in value creation is at stake. Can not promise anything No one from the government will comment on the appeal to the Labor mayors. In the Storting, the shrimp fishermen get sympathy, but few concrete promises. Fiscal policy spokesman for Sp, Geir Pollestad, points out that the fees are determined in the state budget in the Storting. This can happen in the autumn at the earliest. Fiscal policy spokesman Geir Pollestad in Sp can not promise concrete financial help. Photo: Margret Helland It may nevertheless be relevant to look at the reimbursement scheme for the CO tax. – With the situation that has arisen, we must consider whether we can pay out faster, or whether we can in another way give them access to the capital that the State owes the shrimp fishermen. – Remove the CO₂ tax immediately The Progress Party believes that shrimp fishermen do not have time to wait. They fear this may be one of the last summers we have shrimp fishermen who deliver to quays and receptions in Norway if nothing is done now. – The CO tax should be removed immediately. It amounts to around 2 kroner a liter and will mean a deceiving situation for the shrimp fishermen immediately, says Roy Steffensen, member of the finance committee for Frp. Fisker thinks they must get 300 kroner a kilo for shrimp. Then the price to the consumer would be between 500 and 600 kroner. Photo: Philip Hofgaard / news
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Fears landslide of bankruptcies among shrimp fishermen – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
