Lampedusa, diesel prices soar, Martello: "Fishermen in a state of agitation"

The fishermen of Lampedusa have gathered to decide whether to continue fishing or hand in their fishing licenses due to the inability to earn at least enough money for expenses. This is stated by Totò Martello, president of the Lampedusa fishermen's consortium and municipal councilor for the Democratic Party, regarding the cost of diesel on the island.

"The war that has ignited the Mediterranean - he continues - has caused diesel prices to skyrocket: one liter for citizens costs 2.50 euros while that for fishing boats costs 1.35 euros per liter for diesel supplies under 3,000 liters; for those over 3,000 liters, the cost is 1.17 euros and above 8,000 liters it is 1.07 euros with a difference of 40/50 cents more compared to diesel purchased in Sicily".

This adds - he explains - to historical problems such as sunken migrant boats getting caught in the nets, the invasion of our territorial waters by vessels from Mediterranean coastal countries, and climate change causing lower catches.

The fishing community of Lampedusa is in a state of agitation and is asking to be summoned by the Sicilian Region "to receive immediate answers".