Every Sunday, Bruno Garcia from the Charente-Maritime Fishing Federation answers questions from listeners on France Bleu la Rochelle.
How do you become a fish guard?
Nathalie de Bourgneuf asks us what direction should her 14-year-old son take to access the profession of guard – fishing? She tells us that he had the opportunity to spend a day with a guard and that he is delighted.
Bruno Garcia : Well can you imagine that yes it was with me that he spent this day and if he enjoyed it, I too had a great time. He is a very friendly and highly motivated young man.
Are there priority routes to gain access to the profession of fishing guard?
There are orientations that are preferable to others. Today two opportunities are offered to him to achieve his ends. They are very different from each other and I will explain to you, give you the necessary details to fully understand.
We’re listening to you
– The OFB (French Office for Biodiversity), a state institution responsible for policing hunting, fishing and the environment in general. The OFB, a little more than 20 years ago was called the CSP, the higher council of fishing had for priority the control of the fishermen. This CSP then became ONEMA, National Office for Water and Aquatic Environments. We can already guess that we are deviating a little from fishing. And it’s not over, ONEMA was then called AFB, the French agency for biodiversity. And there it really starts to spoil for the profession of fishing guard. The missions entrusted to the OFB since 2020 have evolved and are more directed towards technical missions (studies on waterways, advice on works, monitoring of migratory species, etc.), the OFB agents have become somewhat ” white collar”. It was important to describe these new activities superficially so that Fanny’s son could see clearly. For nearly 2 years, the fishing police have become, for them, accessory or even non-existent even if it is part of their prerogatives. Recruitment is offered by a nationwide competition for which the baccalaureate level is required. Nevertheless today and for some years the candidates for this competition are very regularly holders of bac + 5 or 6 with masters in hydrobiology or the environment.
What does this young man have left to hope to be a fishing warden one day?
– The Departmental Federations of Fishing and Protection of the Aquatic Environment numbering, I can’t remember 95 or 96 throughout France, are always recruiting development agents. For some of them the main mission is the fishing police. Which apparently should suit your son. To access it, candidates are at least holders of a GPN, a BTS on the management and protection of nature. I do not precisely control the necessary baccalaureate for this projection but I think that the guidance counselors will be able to enlighten you on this subject.
We retain specialized training in the environment
Yes, that’s state-recognized training, which is a baccalaureate + 2 and can be done on a work-study basis. Given the enthusiasm that has existed for some time now, the State has put this diploma in place since 2011.