Overview

• France’s environment ministry confirmed a draft order that would start the obligation on 10 January 2026, pending a final arrêté by the next government.
• The draft sets species and zones as follows: lieu jaune (merlu) and bar in the English Channel and Atlantic; bluefin tuna and dorade rose in the Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean; dorade coryphène in the Mediterranean.
• The measure applies to recreational fishers, while commercial fishers already report their catches to authorities.
• Officials say the goal is to improve data on leisure fishing removals to support sustainable management of vulnerable stocks.
• Key practical details, including the online reporting system, will be defined in the final order, and the initial species list could be expanded based on stock trends.