Fishermen warn diesel crisis worsens, urge action to save sector

• The diesel issue needs a swift resolution to prevent further migration of the fishing workforce and to avoid forcing fishing license holders to cease operations due to high expenses and operational costs, said the Kuwaiti Fishermen’s Union.

The Kuwaiti Fishermen’s Union has renewed its appeal to the government to rescue the fishing sector, highlighting that current challenges are “overwhelming and unsustainable for fishermen.” The union noted that the diesel crisis is worsening daily, with no comprehensive solution in sight, according to Al Rai newspaper.

The fishermen explained in a statement that the fishing sector ‘faces many challenges and is striving to overcome them to ensure food security from marine products. However, these challenges have become overwhelming, especially the diesel crisis, which threatens to collapse the sector due to worker migration and persistent difficulties.’ They stressed the need for attention to the union’s legitimate demands.

The fishermen referred to numerous official correspondences they had sent to the Economic Committee of the Cabinet, the Support Committee of the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant parties, adding that the diesel issue needs a swift resolution to prevent further migration of the fishing workforce and to avoid forcing fishing license holders to cease operations due to high expenses and operational costs.

They warned that the current situation threatens the profession with disappearance and extinction, and emphasized the impact this could have on local products and prices. He stressed the urgent need for cooperation from the concerned authorities to ensure that local marine products remain available in the markets.

The fishermen acknowledged the government’s genuine desire to support the local product and expressed hope that the relevant ministers would act to rescue the sector, urging the Minister of Finance to address the diesel crisis and restore subsidies to their previous levels.