The European Commission has approved the French government’s plan to distribute EUR 13 million (USD 15 million) in financial aid to its fishers to help offset the rapid rise in fuel prices caused by the Iran War.
“The current crisis in the Middle East has led to a sharp and sudden increase in energy prices, with marine fuel prices increasing by more than 75 percent between late February and April 2026,” the commission said in its announcement. “This has created substantial economic uncertainty and severely impacted sectors that are highly dependent on fuel such as the fishing sector. The surge in fuel prices has significantly increased operating costs and threatens the economic viability of fishing companies.”
The high fuel prices has led commercial fishers to consider staying tied to the docks, with the increased operating costs caused by the war cutting deeply into any revenue they would receive for their catch. Commercial fishing groups and European officials have called for financial aid to help offset those costs, and at the end of April the European Commission approved the Middle East Crisis Temporary State Aid Framework (METSAF) to do just that. METSAF authorizes European states to provide financial support to the sectors most impacted by the war: agriculture, fishery, transport, and energy-intensive industries. Governments can compensate up to 70 percent of the increased fuel costs, subject to approval by the European Commission.
“The Commission concluded that the French scheme is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to facilitate the development of an economic activity and does not adversely affect trading conditions to an extent contrary to the common interest,” the commission said in its announcement.
France’s plan will alleviate fishers’ increased costs for April and May, with companies receiving EUR 0.20 (USD 0.23) per liter of fuel purchased in April and EUR 0.35 (USD 0.40) per liter of fuel purchased in May. France had previously announced the reimbursement for April fuel costs as part of a larger aid package.
“Thanks to the METSAF, France’s fishery sector will receive quick support. In the short term, this helps an economic activity directly hit by unprecedented volatility in energy markets, while preserving a level playing field and minimizing potential distortions,” Teresa Ribera, executive vice-president for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, said in a release. “In the medium and longer terms, this crisis further emphasizes that resilience and decarbonization are intertwined: investing in a clean, just and competitive transition is the only way to guarantee a truly sustainable European economy.
Other countries, including Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands, have also announced financial aid for their fisheries sectors.
Ireland is now accepting applications for its EUR 15 million (USD 17.4 million) aid scheme, which is expected to provide EUR 0.40 (USD 0.46) per liter for vessels over 6 meters in length, while smaller vessels will receive a minimum flat-rate payment of EUR 350 (USD 406).
“Fuel is one of the biggest costs facing the fishing and aquaculture sectors, and the sudden rise in prices has placed real pressure on vessel owners and their families,” Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Seán Canney TD said in a release. “This scheme is a practical support at a critical point in the fishing calendar. It recognizes that these are working vessels supporting jobs, families and coastal communities, and that rising fuel costs have a direct impact on their ability to operate.”
Applications are open through 12 July.
According to Dutch publication NL Times, the Netherlands has also announced EUR 13.5 million (USD 15.7 million) in financial support for commercial fishers.
