Recreational sea fishing
Verified 04 April 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)
You want to practice recreational fishing and you want to know the rules to respect?
Whether it's the fishing on foot, of the fishing on a vessel or the underwater fishing, a large part of the regulation is local.
This page indicates the general rules to be known and if necessary guides you to the relevant Interregional Directorate for the Sea.
Recreational marine fishing is recreational or sporting.
To practice sport fishing, you must be member of a national sports organization or have a national sports license.
You must not sell the product of your fishery. He is intended solely for your consumption and that of your family.
Recreational fishing at sea also concerns the catch with release of live fish immediately after capture (practice of no-kill).
You can practice recreational fishing:
- On foot
- From boats or ships
- Swimming or diving
Recreational fishing on foot is practiced on the public maritime domain.
You must respect the natural environment, in particular the foreshore.
FYI
Fishing on foot can also be practiced on the part of rivers or canals where the waters are salted.
Minimum catch sizes and weights
It is prohibited to catch a species if its size or weight is below a certain level.
The minimum sizes and weights to be respected vary depending on whether you are fishing on the North Sea, Channel, Atlantic or Mediterranean.
It is recommended to equip yourself of measuring tools.
Infographie - Measuring the size of a marine animal
Ouvrir l’image dans une nouvelle fenêtre
Marking
Some species must bemarked (removal of the lower part of the caudal fin).
Marking must take place upon capture.
Quantity, periods and fishing zones, authorized gear
Check with local maritime authorities for the rules in your area:
- Quantity maximum allowable per fisherman and per day for each species (shellfish, crustaceans...)
- Zones and periods authorized fishing gear
- Gear allowed (knife, rake, net...)
Sanctions
If you don't follow the rules of recreational fishing, you could be fined up to €22,500.
Material used in the commission of the offense may be forfeited.
Rules for recreational boating
You must respect the rules of recreational boating and have the necessary proof: driving license, traffic card concerning the registration of the boat, possibly insurance.
Minimum catch sizes and weights
It is prohibited to catch a species if its size or weight is below a certain level.
The minimum sizes and weights to be respected vary depending on whether you are fishing on the North Sea, Channel, Atlantic or Mediterranean.
It is recommended to equip yourself of measuring tools.
Infographie - Measuring the size of a marine animal
Ouvrir l’image dans une nouvelle fenêtre
Marking
Some species must be marked (removal of the lower part of the caudal fin).
Specimens of the species fished must be marked as soon as they are taken on board.
However, this does not apply to specimens kept alive on board in a holding tank for release, nor to specimens released immediately after capture in the catch-release (practice of no-kill).
Authorized gear
The following gear shall be authorized:
- Managed lines for up to 12 hooks
- 2 longlines, each with a maximum of 30 hooks
- 2 traps
- 1 foëne
- 1 net or salabre
- 1 toothhook, only in the Mediterranean
- 1 trammel net under certain size limits, only North Sea, Channel and Atlantic
- 1 tile per ship and 3 scales per person on board, only in Brittany, Pays de Loire and Aquitaine
Species prohibited or subject to authorization
Some species may be forbidden or subject to annual authorization or framed.
Example :
- Cash forbidden : undulate ray, species whose professional fishing is subject to TAC: titleContent zero
- Cash subject to authorization : bluefin tuna, yellow eel
- Cash framed : Landing of fish after catching blue marlin and white marlin
Telesisaap: online application for authorization to fish for bluefin tuna
Application for authorization to fish for bluefin tuna
Declaration of landing of bluefin tuna in a recreational fishery
Declaration of landing of blue and white marlin in a recreational fishery
Inquire with local marine authorities to find out the rules in your region:
Quantity, periods and fishing areas
Inquire with local marine authorities to find out the rules in your region:
- Quantity maximum allowable per fisherman and per day for each species (shellfish, crustaceans...)
- Zones and periods authorized fishing gear
Sanctions
If you don't follow the rules of recreational fishing, you risk fines of up to €22,500.
Material used in the commission of the offense may be forfeited.
Insurance
You must have purchased a insurance covering your civil liability.
In case of a check, you must be able to prove your identity and present your insurance certificate.
Age
You must have 16 years or older to fish with a harpoon gun.
Minimum catch sizes and weights
It is prohibited to catch a species if its size or weight is below a certain level.
The minimum sizes and weights to be respected vary depending on whether you are fishing on the North Sea, of the Handle, of the Atlantic or the Mediterranean.
It is recommended to equip yourself of measuring tools.
Infographie - Measuring the size of a marine animal
Ouvrir l’image dans une nouvelle fenêtre
Marking
Some species must be marked (removal of the lower part of the caudal fin).
If you fish underwater from a vessel, specimens must be marked as soon as you board the boat.
However, this does not apply to specimens kept alive on board in a holding tank for release, nor to specimens released immediately after capture in the catch-release (practice of no-kill)
If you fish underwater from the shore, the marking must take place as soon as you hit the shore.
Prohibited practices
The following fishing practices are forbidden :
- Use a diving breathing apparatus. The simultaneous possession of a breathing apparatus and underwater fishing gear shall be prohibited.
- Use a fishing gear whose projectile propulsive force uses a detonating element or the expansion of a compressed gas other than by the user himself
- Fishing between sunset and sunrise
- Fishing less than 150 m of ship or marked fishing nets
- Catching fish caught from other fishermen's fishing gear
- Use a luminous focus to attract or search for fish
- Use, for the capture of crustaceans, a foën or a special appliance for underwater fishing
- Keep loaded out of water one special underwater fishing gear
Inquire with local marine authorities to find out the rules in your region:
- Quantity maximum allowable per fisherman and per day for each species (shellfish, crustaceans...)
- Zones and periods authorized fishing gear
- Gear allowed (knife, rake, net...)
Sanctions
If you don't follow the rules of recreational fishing, you risk fines of up to €22,500.
Material used in the commission of the offense may be forfeited.
Who can help me?
Find who can answer your questions in your region
Species prohibited from fishing (Annex I), measurement of the size of a marine organism (Annex IV)
Species prohibited from fishing (Annex I)
Control of recreational fishing (Article 55)
Penalties for infringements of maritime fisheries law
Recreational marine fishing
Insurance obligation
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Ministry of the Sea and Fisheries