Fishing

With an annual production of 65,000 tonnes in 2001 for a turnover figure of 190 million euros, the seven fishing ports in Cornouaille, which are run by the CCI Quimper Cornouaille, represent a quarter of all national fresh fish landings and more or less all the tropical tuna landings. Various techniques have been developed at all levels of activity ranging from the shoreline fishing on foot to large ocean-going tuna boats, not forgetting coastal fishermen and the deep sea vessels which fish in European waters.

With a current figure of 3,200 fishermen and over 8,500 jobs which directly depend on the fishing industry, it is clear that fishing occupies an important place in the economy. Four Cornouaille ports figure among the leading six in the national table of the value of landings: Le Guilvinec (3rd), Concarneau (4th, excluding tropical tuna), St Guénolé (5th) and Loctudy (6th).

Key to map:
The 7 fishing ports of Cornouaille
" Cornouaille- ports de pêche "
Tonnage 2001 = 65,466 tonnes

Today, more than ever before, the priority of the sector is the renewal of the fishing fleet and recruitment of fishermen in order to secure the future.

The evolution of the primary production tool is a major preoccupation for those working in the industry, not only because of the reduction in the fishing fleet but also because of the ageing of the vessels, which has an adverse effect on safety and competitiveness. The situation is aggravated by recruitment difficulties.

For many years the European Union has been putting in place a battery of measures designed to limit pressure on fish stocks which, by unanimous agreement, have reached their limit. The most recent measure is the Green Book. The evolution of the fleet is strictly monitored by POPs (Long-term Orientation Plans), while the volume of catches is controlled and fixed by the TAC (Total catch permitted) and quotas.

Even more draconian measures have made their appearance going as far as banning fishing devices, often wrongly considered as cruel by the public at large. Catching tuna with drift nets became illegal this year, posing painful problems of diversification. The burden of these limitations coupled with the worrying fall in catches tend to suggest a fatalistic climate with an inevitable decline in activity.

In spite of all this, Cornouaille represents a quarter of fresh fish landings in France. Its coastline is remarkably placed for exploiting a large part of the continental shelf. An incomparable range of species, enterprising professionals and excellent fundamental knowledge safeguard the future of the industry.

Improving figures, good annual results from companies and motivated professionals have led to a new spirit of optimism for the Cornouaille fishing industry which remains particularly mindful of the course followed by the Common Fisheries Policy.

The CCI QUIMPER CORNOUAILLE created the " Cornouaille Port de Pêche Commission", where representatives of the fishing industry from the 7 ports and elected members of the CCI meet to debate the main problems and plans. This forum symbolises a major step in the quest for efficient organisation and, in the long term, towards Cornouaille being granted a single operating concession for the ports.

The work undertaken by the steering committee for the port facilities at Le Guilvinec highlights the importance of the role played by the CCI in environmental matters such as harbour waste disposal, water treatment and the integration of the harbour within the town.

Cornouaille, Ports de pêche
As at 31/12/01

1993 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 Number of fishermen 4,330 3,891 3,718 3,593 3,391 3,198 3,154 2,991 Number of vessels 806 735 710 658 633 623 622 594 Power in kw 247,440 228,735 225,899 219,408 213,285 207,262 207,917 201,942 Tonnage 76,237 78,466 77,755 76,185 ? 68,900 63,761 65,466 Value (M€) 176 174 181 186 ? 186 179 190 Source: DDAM (Departemental Board for Maritime Affairs) du Finistère

The tropical tuna fleet (vessels registered under the French flag)

	2000 2001 Variation 2000/2001 Tonnage 132,686 122,962 -7.3% Value (M€) 83 109 32.0% Average price (€/kg) 0.63 0.89 42.4% Source: DDAM du Finistère