Bruno Garcia of the Charente-Maritime fishing federation answers questions from listeners of France Bleu la Rochelle, today Jean-Marc de Saint Jean de Liversay has given up fishing for 5 years and is resuming this year in view of his retirement . He has always been very attentive to fishing regulations. He admits to us that after reading the various documents at his disposal, he finds it difficult to master and understand the basis of the new rules, which have probably been in force for a very short time.
Bruno Garcia: We try to produce documents as vulgarized as possible but hey, as far as I’m concerned, I’m immersed in it every day and I can understand that seen from the outside it may lack clarity. It is often difficult to use “general public” vocabulary when discussing the technical and regulatory aspects of fishing.
Perhaps there have not been many of these regulatory novelties in recent years?
No, I will go back to the few modifications in force since January 01, 2019. It is, in my opinion, from this date that there have been significant changes. I don’t know if Jean-Marc is fishing with a line or with gear, but I will discuss each of these techniques. Starting with the ban on net fishing during the pike closure. It’s just common sense. The pike performs micro migrations to reproduce and becomes easier to capture during these movements. There was also a ban on live fishing in no-kill areas. This is also very logical as the lure allows instant hooking to sting the predator on the edge of the mouth, as much a livebait is swallowed deeply and the hook becomes very difficult to unhook without mutilation. The obligation to identify all gear so that the owner can be easily identified. This now makes it possible to seize without waiting anything that does not meet this rule without the guard having to wait hours for the user to come and handle the device. And finally in 2019, the ban on fishing with brittle. This technique which consists of connecting the line to the opposite shore while leaving it well above the surface. A real guillotine for people passing by by boat.
Is it just restrictions? A little more flexible measures anyway?
Yes it’s true we can analyze it like that but I kept the positive note for the end. Before going into the details of the slightly more permissive rules, I must point out that these regulatory changes correspond to the request of fishermen. The Federation by which I am employed is not systematically at the origin of these requests. It is the fishing associations that request them and we only forward these requests to the administration. After checking that there is a minimum of consistency of course!
Let’s go on the rejoicing side then
Here are the decisions taken in the fall of 2020 and applicable from January 01st First of all and it is a big step forward the possibility during the pike closure of using lures of a minimum of 80 gr and not less than 15 cm in length. This rig only targets catfish and this derogation is risk-free for pike. The removal of the 150 m fishing reserve downstream of the Baine dam. Attention except from April 01 to June 30 when we find the ban on fishing to preserve migratory fish. And finally, the obligation to release the zander on the Charente-Seudre canal from the 3 B bridge to the Cayenne dam is over. You see that one can – be so lenient and that one trusts the fishermen. I hope I have been clear for Jean – Marc.
A demonstration next weekend?
The fifth edition of a carp enduro for the benefit of the Telethon and organized by the Saintongeais Fishermen from Friday September 30 to Sunday October 2 in the municipalities of Brive and Dompierre sur Charente. Already 40 registered teams from 17, 16, 33, 79 and 86. All the money collected will be donated to the AFM telethon. With registrations 2000 euros are already guaranteed.