The summer of fuel price discontent and protest that has been brewing in Europe, has arrived on the UK’s South Coast.

Poole Harbour was the scene yesterday of a fuel price protest by fishermen, supported by many types of other commercial boat including a tug, a survey vessel, dive schools and tourist craft.

The fishermen had hoped to blockade the harbour but after being told by the Cabinet Office that they risked their boats being confiscated and fines of up to £5,000 they allowed yachts to enter and leave freely.

Organiser Graeme Whitworth (pictured left) told PBO, on Poole quayside, ‘We can no longer afford to run our boats. Fuel has gone up 320% in the last 5 years, and 40% since January.’

‘The Fisheries Minister Jonathan Shaw doesn’t support our industry’, he said.

Asked what the Poole fishermen’s next move would be, he said, ‘we’re not ruling out a blockade.’