In a Word / Containment: the FNPF obtains an exemption for recreational fishing

The last speech of the Head of State and the announcement of a new national confinement raised once again a lot of questions among freshwater recreational fishermen concerning the conditions of practice of their passion. The FNPF has just obtained from the State a derogation concerning the practice of recreational fishing, making the situation more just...

Golf but not fishing?

Since the announcement of a new confinement at the national level, while fishing remained authorized within a radius limited to 10 km around his home, other outdoor sports saw their radius of practice very largely increased, like golf for example, once again, this did not fail to arouse the incomprehension of recreational fishermen who put forward the irrefutable argument that fishing is a leisure activity practiced in the open air, most often individually, and that it could not therefore be considered as a vector for the spread of the virus. In any case, not more than golfâeuros¦ And then, all the French fishermen are not lucky enough to have a river of 1ère category or a body of water at less than 10 km from their homeâeuros¦

Departmental regulations

For several days, and as during the confinements of 2020, the regulatory applications were taken by the prefectures at the departmental level. The departments of Cantal, Aube and Haute-Marne had extended the fishing radius to 30 km.

National derogation for freshwater fishing

The National Federation of Fishing in France has just obtained a derogation concerning 2 main points:

1) the practice of recreational fishing without limitation of distance in its department of residence.

2) the extension of the radius of practice of the leisure fishing passing then from 10 km to 30 km around its residence in the case where you want to practice in a nearby department.

Clearly, a recreational fisherman can fish anywhere and without restriction as long as he stays in his department of residence but will be limited to a 30 km radius around his home if he wishes to fish in a neighboring department.

This is rather good news as we approach the opening of the 2nd category.

2021 fishing permit and compliance with health regulations

Of course, the sanitary rules in force will have to be scrupulously respected whether it is the social distancing that the fishermen will have to observe towards each other, the respect of the curfew from 6 am to 7 pm during the day and the certificate that each fisherman will have to have in addition to the fishing permit for the season 2021 and a proof of residence (check the box "Physical activity, outdoor, walk").

NB: It is advisable to check with your local prefecture as there may be departmental specificities.

Communication officielle de la Fédération Nationale de la Pêche en France sur les réseaux sociaux.
Official communication of the National Federation of Fishing in France on social networks.
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