01/10/2004 (Agence Europe) - Possible aid measures for French fishermen affected by the hike in diesel prices will be notified to the European Commission so that it can decide whether they are legal in terms of Community rules on State aid; said the spokesperson of Commissioner Franz Fischler on Friday (see EUROPE of 8 September 2004, p.9). Ports in the north and north-west of France (Calais, Boulogne-sur-mer, Dunkirk, Le Havre) have been blocked since Friday morning by sea fishermen protesting about the diesel price rises. The French government held a ministerial meeting on Thursday on aid to be proposed to the fishermen. The minister in charge of fisheries, Hervé Gaymard, will meet representatives of the profession on Tuesday.