The scallop fishing season in Normandy officially began on Thursday, but some fishermen have decided not to go out due to rising fuel prices, according to the Normandy Fishermen's Organization (OPN). The organization supports nearly half of the region's fishing boats, but many are worried about the time required for fishing and how that affects their fuel use. Mathieu Vimard, deputy director of the OPN, said on October 1st that some boats have chosen to remain with their catch, unsure of how long it would take to meet their scallop quota. Quentin Gourville, captain of the Granvillais, noted that the price of marine diesel has increased from about 1 euro to nearly 1.20 euros, which has significantly affected the fleet's budget, especially given the daily fuel consumption of between 800 liters and a ton. Scallop fishing is considered the most valuable species for Normandy's fishing industry, and the scallop population is currently in very good condition. However, economic concerns remain. Loïc Marguerie, captain of the Daniel Auguste, said that if scallop prices fall below 2.80 euros, it will be very difficult to balance the finances. Some fishermen are waiting to fish in the Seine Bay in November, closer to the coast. State aid covering 70% of additional fuel costs is arriving late, with April-May aid received in September, according to Marguerie. Fishermen prefer direct fuel subsidies at the pump instead of delayed applications, as this affects their accounting and end-of-month salaries. To cope with these challenges, fishermen have reduced their operations, with some crews now consisting of three deckhands instead of five, as noted by ICI Normandie. Despite these difficulties, the majority of boats are currently fishing, according to Vimard. Gourville emphasized that they have no choice but to go out, as they have not worked for five months and need to rebuild their business, as they only catch scallops. The combination of high fuel costs and fluctuating market prices continues to strain the industry, even as the scallop season gets underway.