THE OIL crisis has so badly hit the fishing industry that leaders of this sector in Samut Sakhon province, better known as Mahachai, today (March 23) warned that fishing boats may cease operation nationwide at the end of this month leading to hundreds of thousands of job losses unless the government reins in soaring oil prices, Naewna newspaper said.
During a press conference at Mahachai Fisheries Development Cooperative Ltd. (Thai Seafood Market) attended by representatives from Samut Sakhon Chamber of Commerce and Thai Fisheries Association the government was warned that fishing vessels are now in a state of “extreme crisis.”
Currently, the price of “green fuel”, as tax-exempt diesel is known, has soared to 40.80 – 40.90 baht per litre, and to make matters worse, there is insufficient supply to meet demand. As a result, 30-50 percent of fishing boats in 22 coastal provinces have already stopped operating, particularly trawlers, which carry the highest fuel cost and are struggling to cope.
If the government cannot provide fuel to support this industry by the end of March, the impact will be far more severe than during the Covid-19 pandemic, they warned.
The looming dire impact are as follows:
– Seafood shortages: With fishing boats ceasing operation, the supply of raw materials to fish markets will decrease. Currently, sales at Thai Seafood Market have already dropped by 60 percent;
– Processing plant crisis: Over 7,000 factories in Mahachai will face a lack of raw materials, risking the layoff of over 100,000 workers;
– Livestock impact: The absence of fish for making fishmeal, a key protein in animal feed, will immediately drive up the prices of pork, duck, chicken, eggs and shrimp;
-Transportation paralysis: Traders from upcountry will hesitate to travel to purchase goods due to fear of running out of fuel en route.
The fishing industry leaders pleaded with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to urgently secure diesel at equivalent pump prices or alternative fuels within 7-10 days before the last batch of fuel runs out at the end of this month.
They also propose accelerating the production of B20 fuel, which is approximately 5 baht cheaper than pump prices, as a crucial lifeline for agricultural and fisheries sectors.
“If a clear answer is not given by March 30, everything will automatically come to a standstill and the damage to the country’s GDP would be immense and immeasurable,” one representative said.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page – Fishing boats at Mahachai.
Insert – Fishing industry leaders at today’s press conference. Photos – Naewna
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