Landing Sizes, Quotas and Tools for Shellfish Gathering

Shellfish gathering practices are closely controlled to protect coastal areas, preserve marine biodiversity and allow species renewal.

The following aspects are regulated:

• Landing sizes, weights and quantities per tide, per shellfish gatherer and per species

• Gathering periods

• Tools and gathering gear (restrictions may apply for some species)

The French legislation is based on the amended decree of 26 October 2012 which lays down the applicable rules for all marine organisms (fish, crustaceans, marine molluscs) in each region of mainland and overseas France.

This legislation may be supplemented by regional, departmental or local legislation reflecting the specificities of the area. This is the case in Brittany where the regional prefect’s amended order of 21 October 2013 supplements the national legislation.