French fishermen blockaded an oil depot in Frontignan in the Hérault department on Wednesday morning, marking the third day of nationwide protests against surging fuel costs. According to union representative Ange Natoli, speaking to AFP, roughly one hundred fishermen participated in the blockade with the explicit goal of maintaining pressure until the profession secures a formal meeting with Fisheries Minister Catherine Chabaud.
Fuel Price Spikes Strain Mediterranean Fisheries
According to data from the platform Roole cited in reports, the price of SP95-E10 petrol averaged 2.12 euros per liter at the beginning of September, marking a 40-cent increase since late February. Diesel prices climbed even higher to roughly 2.28 euros per liter over the same timeframe, representing a 56-cent jump. These figures approach the historic peaks recorded in 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, driven this time by conflict in the Middle East according to industry tracking.
Beyond high pump prices, regional committees representing Occitania, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Paca), and Corsica, alongside three Mediterranean producer organizations and maritime unions, launched a joint mobilization on Monday. Bernard Perez, president of the Occitania regional fisheries committee, noted that a delegation met with officials at the prefecture in Sète without receiving satisfactory answers to their core demands, warning that the movement risks further escalation.
Escalating Blockades Across Southern France
The action in Frontignan follows a similar operation on Tuesday, when demonstrators targeted the oil depot at Fos-sur-Mer in the Bouches-du-Rhône department starting at 3:00 AM. According to Ange Natoli, the Fos-sur-Mer action involved requisitioning approximately 50 tanker trucks before CRS riot police intervened to clear the site. Additional demonstrations occurred in Port-Vendres in the Pyrénées-Orientales department, where dozens of fishers marched through the streets.
Professional fishers argue that their daily operating conditions are deteriorating rapidly due to escalating exploitation costs, heavy fuel burdens, and an accumulation of administrative and regulatory constraints. France remains the second-largest producer of fishery products in the European Union behind Spain, yielding 477,000 tons of fish and crustaceans in 2024 according to official sector data.
Upcoming Government Talks and Next Steps
Industry leaders expect to hold formal discussions with Fisheries Minister Catherine Chabaud on Thursday.
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