French fishermen have been blocking various ports, including the ports of Sète and Nice, since the beginning of this week using their small boats to demonstrate against rising fuel prices and the government's failure to fulfill financial promises.
Disruption in ferry services and public protests
The protests against fuel prices in France have reached a level where ferry services in the Mediterranean have been affected, and some trips have been canceled. For example, Corsica Ferries announced that due to these protests, it has canceled its services from L’Ile-Rousse to Sète on Tuesday and Wednesday. In Nice, a ferry was forced to wait at sea.
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The fishermen blocked the entrances to the ports by setting tires on fire and installing signs expressing their dissatisfaction. They also attacked the oil depot located in Fos-sur-Mer near Sète.
Rising fuel prices and dissatisfaction with the government
Diesel prices in France have reached an unprecedented record, varying between $10 and $12 per gallon. Many fishermen say these prices have increased due to the U.S. war with Iran. The mayor of Nice, Éric Ciotti, told the fishermen that they are "a species on the brink of extinction" in the Mediterranean, and the government has promised to help them with 35 cents per liter of fuel, but this assistance has not yet reached them.
This protest comes as France moves towards the presidential elections of 2027. Catherine Chabaud, France's Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, during a meeting with the protesters, proposed interest-free loans for fishermen and stated that they are "committed to reopening the ports."
The protests have also led to further concerns and may spread to other regions and industries, as French citizens are generally dissatisfied with the high cost of living.
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