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Since February 12, 2026, the European RecFishing application has enabled recreational fishermen to register and declare catches of so-called "sensitive" species.
The application RecFishing is now operational in France. Initially scheduled for January 10, 2026, its launch has been postponed to February 12, 2026 due to technical difficulties encountered at European level.
This system is part of EU regulation 2023/2842. It introduces a harmonized system for registering recreational sea anglers and declaring catches of so-called sensitive species subject to management measures.
Who's concerned?
Obligations differ from one coast to another.
On the façade Atlantic (including La Manche), recreational fishermen aged 16 and over must register every year if they target "sensitive" species .
Visit Mediterranean , all recreational anglers aged 16 and over and over are required to register annually, regardless of the species sought, with the exception of anglers on foot.
In the departments of Overseas no registration is required at this stage.
Catch declaration
All anglers concerned must declare same day catches of "sensitive" species via the RecFishing application. The declaration includes:
- the place of capture,
- the species,
- size,
- quantity,
- the technique used.
In the Mediterranean, where declaratory obligations already exist in certain marine parks, no double declaration is required: the Catchmachine application remains the reference in these areas. This is undoubtedly a major inconsistency. Wouldn't it make more sense to centralize data in a single application?
Which species are concerned?
Sensitive" species are those subject to specific management measures.
On the façade Atlantic and Manche, including :
- from bar ( Dicentrarchus labrax ),
- from yellow locust ( Pollachius pollachius ),
- from pageot rose also known as pink sea bream ( Pagellus bogaraveo ),
- from red tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ).
In the Mediterranean, the list includes :
- the pageot rose also known as pink sea bream ( Pagellus bogaraveo ),
- the dolphinfish ( Coryphaena hippurus )
- the red tuna ( Thunnus thynnus ).
Only catches of these species must be declared via RecFishing.
Why this evolution?
According to the French Ministry of the Sea, these declarations are intended to improve knowledge of recreational fishing practices and to strengthen monitoring of species subject to conservation measures. The data collected will contribute to stock assessment and the development of management policies.
