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The new regulations
Mandatory registrationâeuros¯: all recreational sea anglers aged 16 and over wishing to catch species subject to European management measures (listed at the beginning of each year by decree).
Catch declaration : all catches of these species will have to be declared online on a daily basis (application scheduled for December 2025, with photo recognition).
Species concerned for 2026: pollack (pollachius pollachius), sea bass, bluefin tuna, red seabream, dolphinfish in the Atlantic, Channel and Mediterranean.
A distinctive Mediterranean façade : compulsory registration for all recreational fishermen from 2026 (except for foot fishermen), a measure already anticipated by a resolution of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean.
Extension from 2030 : this obligation will be extended to species for which recreational fishing is deemed by scientific opinion to have a significant impact on overall mortality, and which are included in professional management plans.
Terms of applicationâeuros¯: annual registration, daily declaration, easy to take via the application (common name or photo), ergonomic and usable offline. No amendments planned for the time being: priority to information and education.
Objectives
- Gain a better understanding of the recreational fishing sector and quantify harvesting of sensitive stocks.
- Strengthen the management and sustainability of fishery resources, based on the professional control model.
- Adapt the list of species to be protected according to population trends and scientific advice.
As a result, from January 10, 2026, an electronic declaration will be mandatory for all catches of listed species: pre-registration and daily reporting for almost two million anglers in France, with gradual extension to the whole of Europe and to new species in the years to come.
