Fishing in France: New catch legislation for amateurs

Recreational sea fishers in France are legally now meant to report certain catches via a new app in a bid to better track so-called ‘critical’ species – but for the time-being the obligation is on hold pending technical tweaks.

The measure has officially applied since January 9, 2026, in conformity to an EU regulation, however the government reports that registration and declaration obligations are suspended for the time-being.

It says the EU is expected to clarify the date for the app's rollout in France in the coming weeks and in the meantime the new rules relating to certain 'sensitive' species do not yet apply in practice pending further updates. 

The rules say certain recreational catches must be reported on the EU’s new RecFishing app. This applies to certain species, including sea bass, pink sea bream, and tuna.

The EU states that “marine fish stocks are a shared natural resource. Their protection and sustainable management depend on having a clear and reliable understanding of fishing activities across Europe, including recreational fishing”.

As a result, the new system will “simplify and streamline data collection on recreational fishing catches across all EU marine areas”, provide “better data…to help scientists understand how much fish is being caught and support sustainable management of fish stocks”, and “provide a clear picture of fishing activity across different sectors”.

The new legislation will apply to 22 coastal EU countries, with the app having been said to be ready to go in 13 so far as well as France. Other countries include Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, and Sweden.

However, the EU explains in a new statement how the app may not yet be ready to download in some countries, as final tweaks are made. 

System critics

It comes as some in the fishing industry have already criticised the legislation.

Mario Cressent, co-founder of COPERE (Collectif des Pêcheurs Récréatifs, a recreational fishing collective) and director of ADIC (the association that defends the interests of COPERE members), has called the system “inconsistent, scientifically questionable and unfair”, reports Le Petit Bleu d’Agen.

This is because certain highly-fished species, including mackerel, are not required to be reported because of their low commercial value. Some believe that the app’s reporting rules will not provide a clear picture of trends or practices.

Many amateurs took to social media after the change was announced, calling for a boycott in protest, Le Petit Bleu adds. Complaints include the claim that the system will be difficult to comply with, particularly for occasional or beginner practitioners.

Some also believe that requiring the use of the Recfishing app will bring further complication to the sport, rather than simplifying or organising it. Critics claim that requiring the reporting of only some species, and not others, will be confusing to new fishers, and could also lead to unwanted and unwarranted penalties.

Similarly, the Agriculture Ministry has been accused of applying the new system too early, and of implementing it before the results of a public consultation on the matter had been analysed or published.

Fishing associations are now campaigning for less-stringent measures aimed at improving awareness of over-fishing and education on the issue, along with the introduction of gradual measures to help, rather than what they see as the too-strict control of the new system.

The EU appears to have anticipated some criticism, stating: “RecFishing was developed as a collaborative effort between the Commission, coastal EU countries, scientists and representatives of the recreational fishing sector, including fishing federations and sector associations. 

“Practical input and feedback from stakeholders helped ensure that the system reflects current fishing practices and user needs,” it states. 

“Recreational fishing for some species has long been subject to rules such as conservation measures, including size limits, bag limits, and seasonal restrictions. The new reporting requirements do not introduce additional fishing restrictions,” it adds.