CHIBA —

Japanese fishermen, hit by high fuel costs on soaring crude oil prices, halted operations Tuesday in an attempt to raise public awareness about their predicament.

Some 200,000 fishing boats have canceled operations for one day to urge the government for help to ease the impact of the fuel price hikes, a move that could hit the country’s myriad sushi and seafood restaurants.

“Many fishermen cannot make ends meet. The industry as a whole is falling apart,” said an official with the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperative Associations. “We are asking for emergency measures from the government, just for one or two years, to help us pull through this difficult period.”

Fuel now accounts for as much as half of the fishermen’s operating costs, compared with just 10% a few years ago, he said.

Roughly 3,000 fishermen from all corners of Japan are going to gather in downtown Tokyo on Tuesday for a rally and a march to demand state subsidies to help the struggling industry.

“We are seeing situations where fishermen make losses by going fishing. Because their catches go through auctions, fishermen themselves cannot pass on the increased cost to consumers,” an official said.

The federation groups about 1,000 fishery cooperatives and almost all of the fishermen in Japan, which has one of the world’s largest fishing industries but virtually no natural energy resources.

Thousands of fishing boats are already sitting idle at port because fishermen cannot afford fuel. The Japanese government, however, has been lukewarm about giving special assistance to fishermen. Agriculture Minister Masatoshi Wakabayashi told reporters last Friday that he understood the frustration of fishermen, but also asked them to minimize the disruption of food supplies.

He added that all industries and many small businesses are feeling the pinch from the increased fuel cost, and that the government cannot give special treatment only to fishermen.

Some fishermen have already begun their strike to try to draw attention to their plight, according to local authorities. Squid fishermen went on a two-day strike last month.

Wire reports

10 Comments

• 

  DeepAir65 at 08:34 AM JST - 15th July

  They get some many subsidies already so tough luck! Try sail or not running your engines unnecessarily. They also make loads of money from "fishing trips" and diving excusions.

  As I do not like seafood let them strike away and join the real world

• 

  GW at 11:07 AM JST - 15th July

  just add a fuel surchg to all auctions, start passing on the costs, there yr done.

  And fishing dudes in case you dont know the price of gas for my has gone up, bet you didnt know that did ya!

• 

  presto345 at 12:50 PM JST - 15th July

  Well, I'll be happy to pay more for fish. It'll still be cheaper than beef prices which are already, or should I say, have always been,over the top. Fish is healthier too. Make your choice.

• 

  sharky1 at 07:47 PM JST - 15th July

  GW obviously doesn't know how auctions operate. There are no guarantees that fishermen will catch enough fish to cover expenses when they go out. Someone said that they already get subsidies...what are they, and how much? Just as I thought...don't know what you are talking about. One of Japan's major industries is going down the tubes. If you don't provide subsidies, you will cause further downturn in the economy. No fishermen, no fish cutters, no sushi houses, no fish at supermarkets. Wakabayashi has a lot of nerve to call on fisherment to keep the fish coming in. Oh...guess he gets a paycheck no matter what. Maybe we should base his salary on the fishermen's net profits. Bet he will sing a different tune then!

• 

  sharky1 at 07:59 PM JST - 15th July

  Here is a constructive idea to fix the price of fuel...cut off all food exports to OPEC nations. No rice, no wheat, no green veggies, and no meat. I think prices will come down in a few weeks.

• 

  GW at 10:38 PM JST - 15th July

  sharky

  you obviously dont see the problem here, its not the damn fuel its the stupid AUCTION SYSTEM!

  if these fishermen wud insist on taking an intrest if what their catches go for instead of leaving up to some damn auction, then I can only say they get what they deserve, if auctions are so great lets auction rice, edamame, beer shochu, the damn LDP!

  Let these fishermen take some responsibility for themselves & set their own damn prices...................thought not, they dont might making a good living when the auction does their work for them, but when it doesnt..........ahhh different story, sorry dont feel sorry for`em, I like someone else have no problem paying the REAL market rate, including the cost of fuels, the current system is a problem because fishermen dont have a good system for selling their catch, once they return to dock they just want someone else to take care of it so they can drink sake

• 

  some14some at 10:44 PM JST - 15th July

  Fishermen far exceed fishes in J-ocean ((200,000 fishing boat and how many per boat?) Better change your job, as j-govt is unlikely to grant 'further' subsides.

• 

  rajakumar at 12:44 AM JST - 16th July

  Japan now needs to buy more fishes from others,due to rising fuel woes.

• 

  OssanULTRA at 02:04 AM JST - 16th July

  "Japan now needs to buy more fishes from others,due to rising fuel woes."

  The fishing fleets allover the world have been hit hard by the dramatic increae in the cost of fuel. This includes both Asia and Europe.

• 

  GJDailleult at 09:56 AM JST - 16th July

  Fishermen far exceed fishes in J-ocean ((200,000 fishing boat and how many per boat?) Better change your job, as j-govt is unlikely to grant 'further' subsides.

  Great, that's just what Japan needs, more middle-age guys driving taxis.

Register or login to add a comment!