Spearfishing in France

[markw]

Hi,
I'm off to the West Coast of France in a couple of weeks time with my trusty sporasub H-dessault speargun and my picasso (or my new polosub if it arrives) wetsuit in the vain hope of catching some fish.

However, I hear on the grapevine (one of the chaps in our Cannes office) that the French in their usual manner have slapped a law on spearfishing in France - does anyone know anything about this and whether or not it will just be freediving for me next week when I visit the west coast!

Any help would be mighty fine!

Regards,

Mark Wayt.

[cece]

what do you mean??

i'm french you just need a paper that allow you to spear fish and a paper from you insurance saying that you are ensured in case of incident.

That is for French spearfishermen, I don't know if there is something different for foreign people

you will find this paper in harbour office or you can download it over here:

http://www.spearboy.com/declaration%...marine2003.rtf

[markw]

I was sort-of referring to the political shenanigans going on as covered in this month's apnea magazine with the FFESSM or whatever they're called?

My friend (who lives in Cannes) who told me about this has said that he has had mates that have been stopped by the police and asked to show their right to spearfish licence!

Nonetheless, I didn't get to go in more than once and I didn't take my gun with me just in case The weather was favourable to surfers but not to divers

St Jean De Luz, however, I would recommend as a good place, when the weather's right, which is rare

Next time I think either the med coast or further north towards La Rochelle may be better.

Thanks anyway!

Mark.

[cece]

no worries,