Le Figaro Bordeaux
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It's a relief." While the lamprey fishing season, suspended by decree on April 17, stopped prematurely in Gironde, Sabine Durand is reassured. Even if this will not return to the approved Association of professional freshwater fishermen of Gironde (AAPPED 33) the fish "lost" this year, the prefecture of Gironde has chosen to attack "the merits" of the decision of the administrative court. A twist that comes five days after the official date marking the end of the season, April 30. At the request of the prefect Étienne Guyot, the Minister of Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, Christophe Béchu, has therefore appealed in cassation, Friday, to "contest the non-taking into account, by the judge of the summary proceedings, of the other causes of mortality of the lamprey".
Habitat degradation, impact of invasive species such as catfish... The possible origins of the drastic decline in the freshwater fish population are numerous. A study entitled Glanispomi, conducted by the Natural History Museum of Nantes and published on the day of the suspension of fishing in Gironde, validates this thesis. According to an experiment carried out by researchers in the Loire basin on about forty fish equipped with sensors, "a minimum of 69% was probably predated by catfish" before having had time to reproduce.
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"This is what we have been saying since the beginning," reacts to Le Figaro the secretary general of AAPPED 33, "climate change, dams that hinder the migration of lampreys, predation by catfish ... This data brings scientists together." A memorandum stressing "the social consequences on the economic sector of fishing" must be provided to the Council of State. The case is also due to be heard on the merits in the coming months.
