France

Brittany is France’s leading fishing region

12,400 fishermen on board French vessels

1664 active fishing boats in 2022 in Atlantic Area. The majority between 6 & 10 metres long. 47% of vessels fish coastal waters. (SIH)

71% of French active vessels use passive fishing gear such as nets, lines and hooks

Vessels using active fishing gear (dredges, trawls, seines) represent 28% of the active fleet and are mainly found on the Atlantic seaboard and in the North Sea.

36% of active vessels are located on the Atlantic seaboard

34 fish markets in France

 596 273 tonnes of fish, shellfish and crustaceans landed/sold by French boats (2024)

 The most common species fished are: scallops, sardines, monkfish and hake