Overview

• The Ecological Transition Ministry confirmed the plan on September 19, with the obligation slated to begin on January 10, 2026, pending adoption of a final arrêté by the next government.
• The draft targets specific species by zone: merlu/lieu jaune and bar in the Channel and Atlantic, thon rouge and dorade rose in the Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean, and dorade coryphène in the Mediterranean.
• Recreational fishers would file declarations online, with the platform, data handling and enforcement details still to be specified, while professional fishers already report their catches.
• Officials say the aim is to improve knowledge of recreational removals to support sustainable exploitation, and the initial species list could expand depending on stock status.
• The consultation runs until October 2, 2025, and cited FranceAgriMer data suggest roughly 500,000 people fish from a vessel in France, with reported reactions among anglers ranging from concern about digital access to support in voluntary pilots.