A TASK force is to be formed to chart a way out of the fuel price crisis which is threatening to cripple Scotland's fishing fleet.
Richard Lochhead, the rural affairs secretary, yesterday also announced a £700,000 package of non-fuel subsidies for the beleaguered fleet as part of an action plan to help the industry.
Fishermen say marine fuel costs have doubled in the past yea
r, with some skippers having to pay up to £26,000 to fuel their boats for a ten-day trip.
They claim the soaring prices could lead to Scottish skippers being forced to surrender key fishing quotas and catching opportunities to foreign fishing fleets as boats are forced to remain in harbour rather than put to sea.
Speaking after a meeting in Aberdeen with fishermen's leaders, Mr Lochhead said: "It is a very serious situation. Even last week I am told that the price of fuel in some parts of Scotland has increased by 10 per cent alone.
"We are determined to help the fleet through what is a very, very tough period. I am extremely concerned that, if the cost of fuel continues to rise, that will have a negative impact on the profitability of the fishing fleet and ultimately could make some vessels unviable."
He explained that as an immediate short-term measure, up to £700,000 would be made available for non-fuel subsidies. In the longer term the task force would be working with the industry to develop a fuel efficiency plan for the fleet.
The full article contains 265 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
