The Irish fishing industry is in such a "perilous state" that fishermen are considering tying up their trawlers - in an attempt to force government intervention.
That's according to the CEO of the Irish South & West Fish Producer's Organisation, Patrick Murphy.
Fishing organisations are meeting with the Minister for the Marine, Charlie McConalogue, next week to try to get the government to provide similar state assistance for fuel as that given to their French and Spanish colleagues.
They claim that EU funds are there to support the Irish Fishing industry; that the Irish government just needs to draw it down.
The County Council heard reports earlier this week that the skyrocketing cost of fuel is resulting in trawlers staying tyed up, fish factories having less stock to process and fishmongers closing because of supply shortages.
Speaking to RedFM News, Patrick Murphy says the possible strike would be a "scream for help":
"The industry is in such a perilous state. There are movements to actually tie up the fleet for a couple of days. We're in negotiations with the other organizations now and the fishermen themselves to see would the sixth and the seventh be the days to tie up. Just to let the public know that this is detrimental to our industry, we just can't operate with the current fuel prices. It's just not viable rather than a strike. I think it's a fisherman's cry for help. That's what it is. It's scream for help. What person would like to start walking when it's for their own businesses?"
