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15:06 GMT, Friday, 30 May 2008 16:06 UK

In pictures: Europe fuel protests

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Protests are mounting across Europe as record fuel prices hit the livelihoods of fishermen, farmers and truckers. Some 7,000 striking fishermen lit flares at a demonstration in Madrid on Friday.

Fishermen give out free fish at protest in Madrid

Fishermen give out free fish at protest in Madrid

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Spanish fishermen handed out 20 tonnes of free fish, to highlight what they say is the worst crisis facing the industry in a century, which they blame on rising costs and low wholesale fish prices.

Protester and policeman at fuel price protest in Madrid

Protester and policeman at fuel price protest in Madrid

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The fishermen blew whistles and chanted slogans, while helmeted police kept order.

Fishing trawlers sit in port in Algeciras

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Trawlers stayed in port around the country as the Spanish fishermen began a nationwide strike.

Fishing boats docked in harbour, Aveiro, central Portugal (30.05.08)

Fishing boats docked in harbour, Aveiro, central Portugal (30.05.08)

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In Portugal, fishing boats also sat idle as fishermen began a parallel strike. Union leaders said none of the country's nearly 5,000 vessels went out to sea on Friday.

Fishermen mends his nets while striking in Portugal.

Fishermen mends his nets while striking in Portugal.

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The fishermen say competition from cheap imports, fishing quotas which restrict catch sizes, and the squeeze of rising diesel costs are making their business untenable.

French farmers demonstrate at oil depot in Longvic, central France (30 May 2008)

French farmers demonstrate at oil depot in Longvic, central France (30 May 2008)

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French fishermen have been protesting for weeks, and some farmers joined in this week, blockading oil depots with tractors.

Bulgarian truckers demonstrate near Sofia (30.05.08)

Bulgarian truckers demonstrate near Sofia (30.05.08)

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And in Bulgaria, more than 100 truck drivers drove slowly in convoy on the ring road around the capital, Sofia, in a call for government help with rising prices.

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