Le Fourmigue - The beacon of discord

For several years, I travel a lot. Wherever I go, when it comes to the environment, we react in a binary way. We each have our opinion on the subject, and it is, in general, dictated by our individualism and our personal comfort.

Spearfishing is a sport that can seem brutal to some people. Formerly known as “spearfishing”, the activity has in recent years been renamed in order to eliminate this notion of hunting. It is much better to see an avid fisherman go out to sea than a trawler, given the damage these boats cause on the seabed. It is clear that in appearance underwater fishing is an activity much less harmful to our coastline, especially when it is practiced according to the rules of the art.

Recently, alerted by some of its members, on the disturbing results (in terms of environment) of a spearfishing competition, Longitude 181 responded by launching a petition against this kind of "sporting events".
Francois Sarano, its founder, reacted strongly to this event that occurred at Fourmigues, near Antibes, through an interview on "Fréquences Terres". An interview conducted by Daniel Krupka:

Listen to Francois Sarano's inteview on Radio Longitude 181

It is the FNPSA (Fédération Nautique de Pêche Sportive en Apnée), one of the French spearfishing associations, which organized this event. We therefore contacted the President of the PACA region of the FNPSA, Mr Patrick Bonnet. He tells us that the number of participants was 82, divided into 41 teams. As this competition is regulated, it should therefore be noted that on a team, participants are required to alternate diving. Mr Bonnet also explains that the rules set impose quotas and mesh sizes, these mesh sizes required by the protocol are indeed greater than the minimum required by law and several protected species are thus prohibited during the competition. Only the species defined by the regulation are authorized to be fished.

About the moray eel fishery Mr Bonnet says:
“With regard to moray eels and congers in particular, a total quota of 3 per team was set. It is true that the number of moray eels caught in 2 days may seem important, but this is not our opinion given the population of this species in these two areas. The statistics that we are also enclosing you show that 102 moray eels were fished at Basses de la Fourmigue and 53 at La Vaquette, which makes an average of 4 moray eels per team, for 10 hours spent in the water over 2 days. So is far from the massacre loudly proclaimed by Longitude 181 in its petition ”

We also questioned him about the mesh size of the fish and how the fishermen check this mesh since the morays are in holes. He did not answer us on this point, but on the other hand informs us about the mesh:
”Mesh check: underwater fishermen do not shoot blind. They know how to appreciate the size of a fish, although mistakes are possible. They also take care not to enrage their arrow in a hole, especially when fishing for moray eels, so as not to waste time.
You should know that if the weighed fish is not at the mesh, it is not taken into account for the calculation of the points. We must therefore not waste time with poisons that would not be counted. ”
Many people reacted with violent speech to the event. Some fishermen say that these catches were given to associations. Mr Bonnet, on this subject, told us that these fish were indeed offered in professional prud'homies which work for charitable associations. Thus a part is used during the feast for St. Peter, the rest benefiting Portuguese and Cape Verdean associations.

On the question of a reward in relation to the number of catches, Mr Bonnet informs us that this is not the case, because there are quotas not to be exceeded. On the other hand, a person who fishes more fish under this quota would be better placed. However weight remains an important factor in point calculation.

In this region, as in many places, there is a liability with the professional fishermen we interviewed Marie Jeanne Arguel researcher at the CNRS she tells us:
“At one time, the fishermen being embarrassed by the damage caused by the monk seals of the Lérins Islands on their nets and the fish they contained, they decided to stuff them all until there was none left. no. Then came the turn of the sharks and everything that looked like it, even the ones that don't eat fish, and then the turn of the groupers. Today, they are still at the same stage, wanting to exterminate any “small” predator that may remain and that attacks what they have caught. They are used and are always right, because they pay the policies and their campaigns. No one has enough interest or power (political or financial) to go against them. I am talking about all those who extract without limit and in predatory mode what lives there in our coastal ecosystems. This is where 80 percent of the biodiversity of the Mediterranean is located and they do as much damage as the big industrialists who operate offshore. Often, they cite them to clear their customs and that their wrongdoing goes unnoticed or less. ”

Francoises Loquès, director of the Lerins Islands scientific council, informs us that “Le Fourmigue, like all small funds, serves as a nursery. It is in the shallows that the fish come to spawn. Spaces to be particularly protected. ”

What then can we think of the impact that such competitions can have on these sites. Even though well thought out and well organized, it is understandable that some cares. However, both fishermen and divers, all would prefer to have an environment rich in life in the Mediterranean. However, the biomass decreases as soon as one is outside a nature reserve, while places such as Port-Cros are very rich. Isn't this a clear sign of nature?

It would seem that sharing the sea for all these users is important. But we must not forget that we are living in another era. For a while, or alas, this nature is not what it used to be. We have to adapt.

Nowadays, such competitions have to reckon with the reactions of social networks and other platforms. These media can only send a bad image of underwater fishing, distorted, contradictory with its own convictions of selective and responsible fishing. This activity cannot be registered as it is in time without reforming.

To their great regret, many fishermen feel stigmatized by such controversies. But contemporary reality is not going to get better. If they do not adapt their ways of communicating, sadly, they will run into more and more difficulties.

Below is the petition of Longitude 181 (which only concerns competitions). If you think this fits your beliefs, make yourself heard.

Appeal for the definitive ban on underwater hunting competitions

Text: Bam Bam
Photo: Easydive Cannes