Wilfried Devillers, edited by Yanis Darras 07:36, March 31, 2023

Faced with new regulations from the European Commission and inflation, the fishermen of Boulogne-sur-Mer organize a "dead port" operation. All are concerned about the reduction in the size of fishing grounds, devoured by protected areas and offshore wind farms.

Don't let go. Faced with the increase in the price of diesel, offshore wind farms and new regulations, fishermen in the port area of the Loubet basin are organizing a "dead port" action. In Boulogne-sur-Mer, where the strike began last Sunday, all trawlers remain docked.

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"There is still 20% of viable surfaces"

The hundred striking fishermen of Boulonnais try to agree on the continuation of the movement. There is no question of resigning, protests Olivier Leprêtre, the president of the regional fisheries committee of France. For the latter, the objective is clear: to fight against the new restrictions imposed by Brussels in marine protected areas.

"All the regulations that come out of Brussels' hat are completely disconnected from reality," he said. If we accumulate marine protected areas, offshore wind areas, aggregate extractions, the loss of British waters, there are still 20% of viable surfaces," said the president of the regional fisheries committee of France.

"It's never okay"

Every five or six months, there is a new regulation," explains this trawler boss, resigned. However, fishing techniques have evolved. We have increased the mesh sizes of trawls, we have lightened these trawls to preserve the seabed. Everything that is imposed, we have applied it until now, but it never works. So, it may be time for us to be told clearly that we are no longer wanted, "he continues at the microphone of Europe 1.

To find solutions, fishermen will send a request for an appointment to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, as well as to President Emmanuel Macron. Requests left unheeded for the moment.