The blocking of Mediterranean ports by French fishermen has resulted in a diversion of ferries to Italy.

On Thursday, French Minister for Fisheries Catherine Chabaud made a statement. She said that fishermen had been protesting against high energy prices. The fishermen had agreed to lift blockades of ports in southern France. This was after six hours of talks. As the country's embattled minority government struggles to finalise a new budget ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections next year, the latest wave of protests sweeping France has taken the form of blockades.

Cash flow issues would be granted zero-interest loans

Chabaud announced that fishermen experiencing cash flow issues would be granted zero-interest loans, and that fuel support measures would be linked to changes in fuel prices. The latest in a wave of protests sweeping France this week is represented by the blockades. Issues ranging from pay to fuel have led to strikes by workers from the power sector to the police on Tuesday.

Related: Commission approves €13 million French State aid for fishing companies

Protests over rising operating costs

Notably, on 17 September, French fishermen blocked Mediterranean ports and fuel facilities as protests over rising operating costs intensified ahead of talks with the Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, Catherine Chabaud, according to a French government statement. 

About 30 fishing vessels blocked Sète.

Sète was blocked by about 30 fishing vessels, while tanker movements at the Frontignan fuel depot were halted by fishermen. Between 150 and 200 people joined the action in Frontignan from around 3 am, with approximately 30 remaining by 8 am. Local cars were permitted to pass, but tankers were unable to enter or leave.  Several small fishing vessels also closed the sea entrance to Nice, with a Corsican Ferries vessel bound for the French port being diverted to Savona in Italy and yachts waiting to depart Nice being delayed.

The port of Le Grau-du-Roi was also blocked by fishermen.

Le Grau-du-Roi was also blocked by fishermen. Earlier in the week, around 20 fishing vessels blocked Port-Vendres, and protesters targeted an oil depot at Fos-sur-Mer, which reopened afterwards. The regional fisheries committees of Occitanie, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Corsica, along with three Mediterranean producer organisations and unions representing employed fishermen and vessel owners, were responsible for coordinating the action.

It is noteworthy that France produced 477,000 tonnes of fish and shellfish in 2024, up about 1% year on year, making it the European Union's second-largest producer after Spain

Source: Agencies + Image: France 24

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