Croatian fishermen request steps to ease COVID impact on their business

ZAGREB, Oct 12 (Hina) – Representatives of the guild of fishermen and aquaculture workers on Monday held a meeting with officials of the ministries of agriculture and of sea and transport to request necessary measures that will make their business easier in circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the meeting, which was held in the Croatian Chamber of Trades and Crafts (HOK), representatives of the fisheries and aquaculture sector demanded the continuation of the application of measures aimed at alleviating the impact of the epidemic on this sector.

They also proposed some of the steps that will address their burning issues, such as criteria for local seaports, payment of berths, terms of use, and determining the maximum amount of fees and revenue sharing.

One of the requests is to include HOK representatives and representatives of fishermen and boaters in task forces tasked with the preparation of the relevant legislation.

They ask for a sufficient number of port facilities and boat fuel stations along the coast.

The HOK press release reads that Agriculture Minister Marija Vuckovic and the Sea and Transport Ministry’s State Secretary, Josip Bilaver, showed readiness to address the issues the fishermen.