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3h ago

France to Require Recreational Anglers to Declare Certain Sea Catches From January 2026

The government says the measure aims to improve tracking of recreational removals to safeguard vulnerable fish stocks.

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Pêche : les pêcheurs devront bientôt déclarer leurs prises
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Overview

  • An implementing draft order is in public consultation until 2 October 2025 to transpose a November 2023 EU rule into French law.
  • The obligation covers merlu (lieu jaune), bar, thon rouge and specified dorades, with zones set by species: Manche/Atlantic for merlu and bar; Manche/Atlantic/Mediterranean for thon rouge and dorade rose; Mediterranean for dorade coryphène.
  • Declarations are planned via an online platform, with practical modalities and enforcement details still to be finalized before the 10 January 2026 start.
  • Recreational fishers express mixed views, while a voluntary pilot in the Calanques has produced data that park officials say are valuable for scientists.
  • Professional fishers already declare catches, and FranceAgriMer data suggest roughly half of the 500,000 people who fish from boats in France are recreational and could be affected.