Fuel costs threatening West Coast fishing future (New Zealand)

Escalating fuel costs could wipe out the multi-million dollar West Coast fishing industry, a fishing company boss has warned.

Westfleet Fisheries principal Craig Boote said the gravity of the situation could not be overestimated.

Unlike motorists who could reduce costs by car pooling, taking public transport or dusting off the bike, fishermen had no option other than to burn fuel and were now on a financial knife edge, he said.