Bruno Garcia of the Charente-Maritime fishing federation has chosen to discuss on France Bleu La Rochelle the rich news of the past, present and future days. You will see that we can be proud of the representatives of fishing in Charente – Maritime and especially of all these teams of volunteers.
The 2nd national division fishing championship
Bruno Garcia : I will remain humble. I have a lot to tell you but I especially wanted to focus on the 2nd national division championship which took place last weekend on the Canal du Sablon, a branch of the Sèvre Niortaise. High-level fishermen, precise in their baiting, perfectly mastering the cast as well as the control of their line, competitors who are not by chance in the 2nd national division. On the fishing side, it was not the expected scores. The fish was hard to catch.
The results ?
Cédric BREUIL from CD 87 was on the first step of the podium followed by Pascal ZANCHETIN from CD 86 and Michel LESSIRE for 3rd place. When in Charentais – Maritime Alain GABORIEAU finished just off the podium with 4th place.
Surely partners to thank?
The municipality of Vix, Federations 17 and 85, the friendly Gardon Rochelais and Gaul Viseronne and Mrs. BOUTARD who offered a giant cake for this occasion. And let’s not forget, of course, the twenty or so volunteers behind this success.
I know you wanted to address the economic impact of this championship
I particularly wanted to show that we cannot look at fishing as an activity of the past and so that our elected officials see this hobby in a different light and give it a little more attention. A small survey of the 33 fishermen who participated in this competition revealed the following elements: they were all accompanied and arrived on the site to train or visit several days before. With the exception of one fisherman who came in a camping car, all of them stayed locally and benefited from local businesses for their food purchases. Already these expenses represent more than 20,000 euros. To all this we must add that a large majority of them think of returning for a fishing or simply tourist objective.
Your conclusion is that fishing has a real positive impact locally
Whether sporting or recreational, it is an asset for local economic development. It is capable, if the routes are welcoming, of generating real tourist activity and can trigger the choice of a holiday destination.
Events this weekend?
Before this weekend, yesterday the association of fishermen port of Envallois accompanied school groups, CE2, CM1, CM2 on the sector of Crazannes to make them discover the Charente river, its biodiversity and the practice of fishing.
And to finish
The departmental association of fishermen with gear on the public domain organizes today jointly with professional divers, as every year, its traditional cleaning of the Charente river between the communes of Chaniers and Dompierre sur Charente. T