31/10/2013 00:00
TW
0
By Humphrey Carter SCORES of Balearic-bound ferry passengers were still trapped in blockaded mainland ports yesterday while the local authorities pleaded with central government to take steps to ensure that at least minimum merchant shipping services are guaranteed should the Spanish fishing fleet's protest over fuel prices continue. Despite claims from some of Majorca's main food depots that 50 percent of produce is grown or produced locally, yesterday some of the fishmongers and vegetable stalls on Palma's markets were bare following a second day of no merchant shipping reaching Majorca. Balearic president Jaume Matas spoke to Prime Minister Zapatero on Monday by phone to express his concern and call for help. Yesterday he wrote Zapatero a letter highlighting the serious threat the blockade poses to the Balearics. He called on Zapatero to order measures adopted to ensure that container ships carrying basic materials and produce are allowed to set sail for the Balearics. “The situation is very worrying and steps need to be taken to start moving stranded passengers and cargo out through ports which are not blockaded,” Matas said yesterday. “I am concerned that the blockade will lead to a rise in fuel prices while a sea transport blockade of this kind will hit all sections of the Balearic community,” the regional president added. Security forces were being used to try and lift the blockade in Alicante yesterday afternoon. But Barcelona remained closed as did Denia with ferry crosses to Ibiza and Palma suspended for the second day. Mercapalma, Palma's main food storage and supply depot, yesterday received no fresh produce from the mainland - no meat, fish, fruit or vegetables and warned that, if the blockades continued over night, no fresh fish is expected this morning. PIMECO, Majorca's small business association, yesterday issued guarantees that its members have enough supplies to ride out the blockade and protect consumers. Pimeco chief Pere Ferrer said that his members have eight-days worth of supplies but warned central government that it would be wise to try and resolve the fishing dispute as quickly as possible. The president of the Balearic Confederation of Business Associations, Josep Oliver, said yesterday that the “indiscriminate” blockade is “intolerable”. He criticised the government for failing to prevent the protests which have left the Balearics at the mercy of mainland fishing fleets. The Spanish Agriculture and Fishing Minister Elena Espinosa met fishing sector representatives yesterday, but criticised the blockade and said the government cannot agree to the fishermen's demands. “We have always been open to dialogue, a loyal and transparent dialogue to find solutions within the legal framework of the European Union,” she said. “(But) I don't think you can take public opinion hostage, and also all citizens are suffering from high oil prices and we are doing it without aid,” she added.