The control and enforcement of fisheries in France

This case study assesses France’s compliance with EU laws for detecting, prosecuting and sanctioning illegal fishing practices by its vessels and in its waters. It is based on a combination of desk-based research and interviews with key stakeholders.

Our key findings and recommendations include:

• that the number of controls at sea should be increased and that controls on landings should be improved;
• that the French competent authorities should reintroduce the possibility to apply both fines and imprisonment for infringements which took place beyond the limits of the French territorial sea (12 nautical miles);
• that there is a need to increase the coordination between the different competent authorities, as a high number of them are involved in the control of fisheries;
• that the level of sanctions should be adjusted to be a real deterrent;
• that transparency must be improved and consolidated data on the French fisheries enforcement framework made publicly available.

This report is part of a series of case studies on the control and enforcement of fisheries in Europe, with other case studies including in England, the Republic of Ireland and Poland. A summary report brings together findings from all four countries to make broader recommendations.

• Read the series