Le Figaro Marseille
A new decree governing the practice of recreational fishing in the Calanques National Park, in Marseille. Scheduled for early next year, it will require boaters to declare each of their catches using a mobile application specially developed for the occasion called "Catchmachine".
The experiment, proposed by the State through the intermediary of the Interregional Directorate of the Mediterranean Sea (DIRM) and developed with the French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), aims to gather data on species recovered in two marine protected areas: the Gulf of Lion Marine Natural Park and the Calanques National Park. In concrete terms, an amateur fisherman will have to take out his mobile phone at each catch to enter the characteristics of the species caught: size, weight, time and location of the catch.
The results, which may be accompanied by a photo, will then be studied for scientific purposes. "The objective is to obtain a more detailed knowledge of recreational fishing in these waters," the DIRM management told Le Figaro. All recreational fishermen will also have to register on Catchmachine to declare their activity, under penalty of sanction in the event of control in the waters of the Calanques National Park. The site is regularly surveyed by many park agents and state forces (maritime gendarmerie, customs, sea police, etc.)
The idea is very interesting, but the person who validated it is not too used to being on a boat.
Jean-Antoine Veruni, President of the Association of Free Fishermen of Martigues
The project has caused quite a stir among recreational fishers, who are already involved in a well-regulated activity. For boaters, this digital information represents above all an additional constraint to their practice. "This count is based on a good feeling, but we have to be sure that its application is consistent. It's a hindrance to having to log in to each take to make a digital report. Then, the result risks being distorted by the bad faith of some fishermen who will tend to minimize or enhance their catch," explains Vincent Garcia, an instructor and fishing guide for the past ten years.
"Preserving nature and biodiversity"
«
The idea is very interesting, but the person who approved it is not really used to being on a boat," says Jean-Antoine Veruni, president of the Martigues Free Fishermen's Association. "If you're fishing at night or in stormy weather, you're not going to have fun picking up your phone every time you catch it!" he says. "This statement every time the water comes out is quite ridiculous. This was done in haste. We need to take the time to rewrite all this," says Gérard Giordano, vice-president of the PACA region of the National Federation of Yachting and Sea Fishing (FNPP).
The Calanques National Park, which already carries out numerous inspections in its waters, denies that it wants to "control a little more" recreational fishermen. "We are working to preserve nature and biodiversity. To do this, we need to have an estimate of what has been fished on our seabed. With their information, the fishermen will help the park better characterize its species," explains Didier Réault, president of the park's board of directors. For its part, the DIRM assures that the taking of pictures will be optional. The decree has still not been signed and is not expected to be published before the beginning of January 2024. The experiment should then be generalized to the whole of France by 2026.