Fishing boats worldwide tuck dockside as diesel prices surge on Iran war
Fishing boats globally are spending more time docked due to rising diesel prices linked to the Iran war. Fishermen are adjusting their schedules to conserve fuel, which is significantly impacting their profitability. The situation poses risks to the fishing industry and could affect seafood prices as costs continue to rise.
- ▪Captain Chris Welch from Maine is catching fewer lobsters this spring due to high diesel prices.
- ▪The average price of diesel has risen to $5.65 per gallon, significantly affecting fishing operations.
- ▪Fuel costs can account for up to 40% of expenses for fishing trips, leading to fewer days on the water.
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Fishing boats worldwide tuck dockside as diesel prices surge on Iran warSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxFuel is a leading expense for fishing fleets, which might require tens of thousands of gallons to fill their boats.PHOTO: EPAPublished May 21, 2026, 07:04 PMUpdated May 21, 2026, 07:38 PMListenKENNEBUNK, Maine - Captain Chris Welch of Kennebunk, Maine, is catching fewer lobsters this spring because spiking diesel prices have made it too costly to take out his fishing boat as often as he normally would.Instead of checking and re-baiting his traps every four or five days to collect the valuable crustaceans, he’s doing so every seven to 10 days to conserve fuel.“It cuts into your profitability at the end of the day,” Capt Welch said after fueling his vessel,…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.