On the eve of the opening of shell fishing in the Baie de Seine, forecasts were very optimistic. “The surveys carried out by IFREMER are very good“explained Dimitri Rogoff, president of the regional fisheries committee, at the end of last week.”The deposit is estimated at 65,000 tonnes, which is why it was decided to open the campaign a little earlier than expected.Traditionally, fishing in this so-called 12-mile zone, located closest to the coast, only opens at the beginning of December.
“Not everyone managed to make their quota”
With fifteen days in advance, the shells therefore launched an assault on white gold this Monday morning. Still very regulated fishing: four tides authorized for this first week and an hour and a half in the area to dredge the seabed. Quotas vary from one to two tons depending on the size of the vessels – from 9 to 16 meters. Except that on disembarkation, it is the disappointment. Xavier Caillouey, boss of Cap (15m98) based in Grandcamp-Maisy has just managed to make his quota. “But for many the account was not there. And tomorrow I’m afraid we’ll do a third less“he confides.
Should the fishing time be extended?
The IFREMER surveys were carried out a month ago. Was it too early? Leaving time for some to discreetly pick up shells? The problem continues Xavier Caillouey, “is that the fishing time is based on these surveys. There we would need at least 2h – 2 and a half hours in the area to work well“.
220 boats coming from Granville to Dunkirk have licenses to come and fish for shellfish in the Bay of Seine.