Forced Vacation: The Fileyeurs of Audierne in Pause Mode

IN SHORT

Fishermen of Audierne are facing a month of closure to protect cetaceans.
Return to the harbor with crates full but sad faces.
Significant economic impact: 60% of supplies come from fishing boats.
The mayor and representatives of the fishermen’s association were present during this last landing.
Need for adaptation in the fish auction with sales reduced to one or two per week.
Young boat owners are facing difficult conditions to start their careers.

“A month of unexpected pause”: the fishermen of Audierne face imposed holidays #

The fishermen of Audierne, in the heart of Finistère, are about to experience a month of forced holidays that will have significant consequences on their activities. This decision, made to protect cetaceans in the Bay of Biscay, is felt as a real blow by maritime professionals. As fishing areas are closed, boat owners and local economic players find themselves plunged into uncertainty.

The last landing before the closure

On this Tuesday afternoon, the atmosphere at the harbor is gloomy. As fishermen return with their crates of fresh fish, the reality of the ban that will come into effect a few hours later is palpable. The words “forced holidays” echo in the conversations of sector actors, witnesses to a situation that is difficult to accept. For a month, these maritime artisans will no longer be able to cast their nets offshore, a missed opportunity and a direct impact on their income.

A local economy under threat

The fish auction in Audierne, an economic pillar of the region, finds itself on the front line. While the town had 170 buyers a year ago, the current situation foreshadows significant economic losses. François Priol, director of port facilities, is worried about the expected drop in sales, anticipating a drastic reduction in fish auction activities, which will only be able to accommodate a few sales per week compared to a daily sale as usual.

The consequences for fishermen

For the fishermen, anxiety is palpable. Thomas Le Gall, president of the Cap-Sizun fishermen’s association, emphasizes that although these professionals represent a third of the fleet, they account for 60% of the supplies to the port of Audierne. This closure is felt as a hard blow, especially since some boats are already equipped with devices designed to protect cetaceans.

Abandoned experimental fishing projects

Many fishermen, such as Philippe Brannelec and Maël Daoulas, express their frustration with this situation. Brannelec, who usually catches sole, does not understand why efforts made to comply with regulations are not taken into account. Maël, a young boat owner, is apprehensive about the period of inactivity that precedes his start in an already difficult sector. These young sailors hope that alternative measures can be implemented to continue fishing without harming the environment.

The fishermen’s expectations amid uncertainty

Despite this pause, some fishermen are trying to see the bright side. Maël Daoulas plans to use this constrained time to carry out maintenance work on his boat, while remaining aware of the financial challenges brought on by this situation. Financial aid from the state is noted as a lifeline, but everyone knows that a solid cash flow is essential to overcome this trying period.

Demands for the future

The actors in the sector are not content with just managing the immediate. They claim the necessity of finding sustainable alternatives to adapt fishing to the needs of marine ecosystems. Accessibility to training and awareness of the impact of fishing on biodiversity are now major issues for the fishermen of Cap-Sizun. Voices are being raised to denounce decisions deemed unjustified while calling for better management of marine resources.