assessment of the status, development and diversification ... · mrag consortium: socioeconomic...

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European Commission Fish / 2006 / 09

Assessment of the status, development and diversification of fisheries-dependent communities

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1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 General description of the location 1

1.2 Location 2

1.3 Key geographical charateristics of the community 5

1.3.1 Geography and climatic conditions 5 1.3.2 The Marine fishing area 5 1.3.3 The Thau lagoon 7

2 Demographic aspects 7

2.1 Population and age structure 7

2.2 Ethnicity and migration 9

3 Economic aspects 10

3.1 Importance of economic activities 10

3.2 Employment and unemployment 11

3.3 Infrastructure 12

3.4 Local development plans 13

4 Fisheries and aquaculture sector 16

4.1 Details of the local fishing fleets 16

4.1.1 Fleets 16 4.1.2 Employment in catching sub-sector 20

4.2 Fish stock status 21

4.3 Fisheries infrastructure 23

4.3.1 Fishing Ports and landing places 23 4.3.2 Auction halls 27

4.4 Details of the local catching sub-sector 28

4.5 Details of the local processing sub-sector 34

4.6 Details of the local aquaculture sub-sector 37

4.6.1 Marine culture – shellfish farming 37 4.6.2 Fish aquaculture 39

4.7 Details of the local ancillary sub-sector 39

5 Governance 41

5.1 Key institutions 41

5.2 Public intervention 41

5.2.1 Intervention by Hérault department council (Conseil Général 34) 42 5.2.2 Intervention by Gard department council (Conseil Général 30) 42 5.2.3 Intervention by Languedoc Roussillon regional council (CRLR) 42 5.2.4 State-Region development contract (CPER) 2007-2013 43 5.2.5 EU intervention – Opérational Programmes 43 5.2.6 The past : FIFG intervention 43

6 Stakeholder analysis 45

7 Qualitative interpretation and analysis 50

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7.1 Key events and drivers for trends 50

7.2 Adaptation 50

7.3 Future developments of the Community 51

7.4 The role of public intervention 51

Bibliography 53

Table of Tables

Table 1: Value added generated by main economic sectors in current prices in the Study area. Source: from INSEE ...................................................................................................................... 10

Table 2: Main macro-economic indicators of the fisheries and aquaculture industry in the study area for 2007. Source: own estimates ........................................................................................... 12

Table 3: Summary of the Sète fishing fleet in 2008. Source: Affaires Maritimes ............................ 17

Table 4: Total number of crew by fishing segment. Source: IFREMER ......................................... 20

Table 5: Fishing possibilities (in tonnes) for bluefin. Source: EU TAC & quota regulations. ........... 21

Table 6: Summary of GFCM Scientific Committee recommendations ........................................... 22

Table 7: Details of the three fish auctions located in the study area. Source: CEPRALMAR & CRPMEM ...................................................................................................................................... 28

Table 8: Sales under the three auctions located in the study area. Source FranceAgrimer ........... 29

Table 9: Activity indicators and costs by main fishing segment in 2007. Source: CRPMEM, IFREMER and DPMA ................................................................................................................... 32

Table 10: Main characteristics of the markets for the main Sète species. Source; CEPRALMAR & RICEP ........................................................................................................................................... 35

Table 11: The Sète ancillary sector. Source: own survey .............................................................. 39

Table 12: Summary of support managed by the Region Languedoc Roussillon between 2005 and 2010. data in KEUR. Source: Region LR ...................................................................................... 42

Table 13: EU funds earmarked for support to the Languedoc Roussillon region ........................... 43

Table 14: EU support for the Sète area. Source: Region LR and ASP .......................................... 43

Table 15: FIFG funding (total EU plus Member State) allocated to Languedoc Roussillon between 2002 and 2007, not including support to fishing vessels. Data in EUR. Source: Fishsubsidy.org .. 43

Table 16: FIFG funding (total EU plus Member State) allocated to fishing vessels registered in Sète between 2002 and 2007. Data in EUR. Source: Fishsubsidy.org .................................................. 44

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Table of Figures

Figure 1: Map of the Sète study area .............................................................................................. 3

Figure 2: Main maritime activities on the Langudoc Roussillon coast. Source: Affaires Maritimes ... 4

Figure 3: Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Lion. Source: IFREMER .................................................. 6

Figure 4: Evolution of the population in the Sète study area. Source: INSEE .................................. 7

Figure 5: Age composition of the Sète area and comparative growth index of population. Source: INSEE ............................................................................................................................................. 8

Figure 6: Compared age structure of the population in the Sète study area, the Languedoc Roussillon region and France as a whole. Source: INSEE .............................................................. 8

Figure 7: Employment data for the Sète study area and comparative unemployment trends. Source: INSEE .............................................................................................................................. 12

Figure 8: Evolution of the number of vessels by segment. Source: Affaires Maritimes .................. 18

Figure 9: Evolution of the power of vessels by segment. Source: Affaires Maritimes .................... 19

Figure 10: Evolution of the tonnage of vessels by segment. Source: Affaires Maritimes ............... 19

Figure 11: Location of artifical reefs in the study area. Source: CEPRALMAR .............................. 34

Figure 12: Main indicators for the Sète secondary processing sector. Source: own survey plus public financial information ............................................................................................................ 36

Figure 13: Main indicators for the Sète primary processing sector (=fishtrading companies). Source: own survey plus public financial information .................................................................... 36

Figure 14: Main indicators for the Sète POs & cooperatives. Source: own survey plus public financial information ...................................................................................................................... 37

Figure 15: Main shellfish production sites in the study area. Source: IFREMER ........................... 38

Acronyms

AMOP Organisation Méditerranéenne des Organisations de Producteurs

CCI Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie

CCNBT Communauté des Communes du Nord du Bassin de Thau

CEPRALMAR Centre d'études et de promotion des activités lagunaires et maritimes en Roussillon

CNC Comité National Conchylicole

CPUE Captures Par Unité d’Effort

EPR Etablissement Public régional (Port Sud de France)

FAM France AgriMer

GFCM General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean

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IDEA Intervention régionale pour le Développement Economique des Exploitations Agricoles, halieutiques et entreprises forestières.

INSEE Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques

GIZC Gestion Intégrée des Zones Côtières

OCM Organisation Communedes Marchés

PACTE Public Policy of the Regional Council in Languedoc Roussillon

PACTE PECHE Programme d’Appui à la Création et à la Transmission des Entreprises de Pêche

PME Permis de Mise en exploitation

PO Producers Organisation

PREPP Programme Régional d’Equipement des Ports de Pêche

QM Quartier Maritime (Maritime Affairs) / former designation of the Direction de la Mer et du Littoral (DML)

RSL Réseau de Suivi Lagunaire

SAC Scientific Advisory Committee (GFCM)

SAGE Schéma d’Aménagement et de Gestion des Eaux

Sa.Tho.An. Organisation de Producteurs de Sète (chalutiers)

SCESS Sub-Committee on Economic and Social Sciences (GFCM)

SCOT Schéma de Cohérence Territorial

SERVIR Stratégie économique régionale de valorisation et d'intégration des ressources

SMBT Syndicat Mixte du Bassin de Thau

SMVM Schéma de Mise en Valeur de la Mer

SO.CO.MA.P. Société Coopérative Maritime de Pêche

SRADDT Schéma Régional d’Aménagement de de Développement Durable du Territoire

SRCM Section Régionale Conchylicole de Méditerranée

SRD Schéma de Régional de Développement Economique.

VA Value Added

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1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 General description of the location The Sète area is located on the French Mediterranean coast. Sète is the first fishing port (approx. 1/3 of the production) and commercial port of the French Mediterranean. The study area of Sète covers 32 municipalities surrounding Sète with the folllowing key features:

They cover two fishermens communities (Sète local committee and Grau du Roi local committee) and one seafarmers communitie (Thau lagoon producers).

The coastal limit of the area fits with the coastal part of two administrative Départements (NUTS III): Gard (30) and Hérault (34). The next territorial level is the regional level NUTS II (Région Languedoc Roussillon)

In adition, the study area fits also exactly with the delimitation of the “Sète marine quartier” in charge of the management of marine affairs (Ministère de l’Ecologie de l’Environnement, du Développement durable et de la Mer).

The local development action plan (axis 4 - EFF) implemented by ADMM (Association pour le Développement des Métiers de la Mer) is fully part of the selected area.

A fleet of 420 polyvalent small boats (< 18m) and a fleet of 59 trawlers (18 m to 25 m) are landing their catches (12,000 t/y) in the 3 ports of Agde, Sète and Le Grau du Roi. In addition a fleet of 20 large purse seiners (> 24m) targets bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus). There are no landings by foreign vessels.

A community of 650 seafarmers is producing oysters (Crassostrea gigas) (13,000 t/y) and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) (9,000 t/y). Farms are located in the Thau Lagoon (oyster producers) or offshore (mussel producers).

There are few processing industries in the area and most of the production is exported to other regions or countries (e.g. Italy, Spain,). They process mainly fish imported from other regions. The 25 local fishtraders have been severely hit by the general stagnation of landings since 2007.

The territory shows several structural elements and changes:

• A strong interaction with the regional metropolis of Montpellier with important daily migrations generating the development of a residential economy on this territory historically structured around the maritime activities.

• Fast demographic increases with a fast population growth rate.

• An important agriculture sector, essentially wine growing, however facing an important economic crisis due to production hazards (e.g. changing environment, production costs), like the fishing industry. The wine sector is also confronting strong international competition. This sector represents a potential for collaboration and cross-benefits with the fishing sector.

• An important tourism industry, with an increase of holiday housing (around 50% of accommodation facilities and more than half of the tourists). The tourism industry is dominated by camping sites. Tourism is another area for partnership and diversification for the fishing sector. However, very little is done as yet, though the fishing and aquaculture sectors are contributing to shape the economy, the culture and the landscapes in a very attractive way for the tourism industry.

• Population expectations (tourists, owners of holiday homes and new residents from definitive or daily migrations) are focusing on landscapes, environmental quality, and more generally good living conditions.


• A significant industry is concentrated around Sète with a significant chemical sector (fertilizers, cement, oil refinery) and some agrofood processing industries.

The area demonstrates an important maritime patrimony due to the industrial, commercial and fishing activities of Sète and Frontignan harbours (1st French maritime fishing port in the Mediterranean).

1.2 Location The Mediterranean is a semi-enclosed sea, with high salinity levels. The Languedoc coastline benefits from the drifting of organic particles vehicled by the «liguroprovençal-catalan» current (direction east to west). The Gulf of Lion is one of the most productive areas of the Mediterranean, though abundance and sizes of fish species are lower compared to the Atlantic for instance.

The French Mediterranean coast (excluding Corsica) is 700 km in length from Cerbère to Menton. The continental shelf East of Marseille is fairly narrow with depth of 200 m close to the shore. In the Gulf of Lion (case study area), the continental shelf is larger.

The maritime sector is of major importance in the region and the coast is hosting 55% of the population. The three significant ports of the study area are Sète, Le Grau du Roi, and Agde. Sète is the premier port in the region, Le Grau du Roi is the second in regard to fisheries landings.

The Sète study area has specific features as follows:

• The territory is comprised of 32 municipalities (LAU-2).

• 30 municipalities belong to the “Hérault 34” département (NUTS-3) and 2 municipalities belong to the “Gard 30” département (NUTS-3)

• It belongs to the Languedoc Roussillon region (NUTS-2). Many statistics and data are available at this level. Thus we will sometimes refer to that information whenever more local information is not available.

• The study area is shaped as a narrow strip of 10 km maximum width and 130 km length. It covers 1.000 km2. It is oriented SW – NE.

• The regional centre of Montpellier (255,000 hab) is adjoining the study area. It is at a distance of 15 km from Sète (40,000 hab). Montpellier offers important facilities: international airport, railway station (TGV - high speed train to Paris in 3h15mn).

• With the highway A9, the border with Spain is within 1h30 drive from the study area. Table 1: Geographical cooridnates for the area

Spot Latitude Longitude

Northern limit 43° 38’ 36’’ N

Southern limit 43° 12’ 45’’ N

Eastern limit 04° 14’ 43’ E

Western limit 03° 11’ 36’’ E

Vendres 43° 16’ 10’’ N 03° 13’ 31’’ E

Agde 43° 18’ 51’’ N 03° 28’ 26’’ E

Sète 43° 24’ 10’’ N 03° 40’ 59’’ E

Mèze 43° 25’ 32’’ N 03° 36’ 14’’ E

Le Grau du Roi 43° 32’ 08’’ N 04° 08’ 15’’ E


Figure 1: Map of the Sète study area


Figure 2: Main maritime activities on the Langudoc Roussillon coast. Source: Affaires Maritimes


1.3 Key geographical charateristics of the community 1.3.1 Geography and climatic conditions Garrigues (low vegetation: Quercus coccifera, Quercus ilex, Cistus albidus, and a mix of herbs: Thymus vulgaris, Rosmarinus officinalis) and forest are the typical Mediterranean vegetation present in the hinterland. On the coast, the Lido (coastal sandy belt) separating the lagoons from the sea is covered by swamp type vegetation, sansouire (a local type of salt friendly vegetation) and salt plants.

Vinyards are the major agriculture activity in the area, but is decreasing. Wheat and fruits are also produced.

The Mediterranean climate shows the following patterns:

• Rainfall = 640mm / year with short time but strong rains (often in autumn)

• Temperature = from 5°C to 30°C

• Wind is often strong, particularly when blowing from the NW with a mean of 118.5 days per year above Beaufort force 5.

1.3.2 The Marine fishing area The gulf of Lion has a coast of 350 km, ranging from Cap Creus (Spain) to Marseille. There are three different zones:

The continental shelf, of 14,000 km², covered by sandy ooze. It is up to 80 km wide (distance from the shore) and 120 m to 160 m deep at the edge. Within 12 miles, waters are rather shallow and suitable for trawling.

The continental slope, wide of 100 km, it reaches 1,500 m to 2,000 m depth.

The deep sea area, with more than 1,500 m depth, is not anymore accessible to the local fisheries

There are a number of very shallow lagoons (from less than 1 m to 10 – 12 m), all along the shore. Marine cultures have well developed in those areas.


Figure 3: Bathymetric map of the Gulf of Lion. Source: IFREMER


1.3.3 The Thau lagoon With an area of 75 km² a volume of 280 million m3 and an average depth of 4 m (max: 25m), the Thau lagoon is connected to the sea in the north by the canal of Sète (80% of sea water exchanges) and in the South by the Grau de Pisse Saumes. As tide has low amplitude (10 cm), the wind is the main factor of water transport. The water exchanged with the sea ranges around 800 million m3 per year. The climate imposes a wide range of water temperatures and salinity with a minimum of 5° in January and salinity near 27/1000 and a maximum of 29° in August and salinity reaching 40/1000.

The sanitary quality of waters of Thau lagoon is frequently altered by microbiological pollution. In June 2004, the lagoon has been downgraded from A to B category. Since then, purification of shellfish before marketing is compulsory.

2 Demographic aspects For 30 years the region has been developing, thanks to the steady raise of population, a trend what should continue. The territory is attractive, due to its natural context, its cultural heritage, its climate and its nearess with other mediterranean countries.

2.1 Population and age structure The study area is populated by 246,539 people in 2006 (latest census).

The Languedoc Roussillon region is attractive thanks to its climate, its accessibilty and on average, lower price and better availabiity of land compared to the neighbouring Provence-Côte d’Azur region. The population in the area rose by 14.53% between 1999 and 2006, an average increase of 2,1% per year. During the same period population raised by 1,48% per year at regional level (Languedoc Roussillon) , and only by 0,72 % per year at national level.

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Figure 4: Evolution of the population in the Sète study area. Source: INSEE

In 2006 (latest census year), 10.1% of the people had moved within 5 years from another region to Languedoc Roussillon. At National level only 6.3% of the people have moved to another residential region since less than 5 years. It shows the strong trend of people coming to settle in the region.

A marked change is occurring in the age structure of the population with an increasing proportion of older people. In 2006, the population above 60 represents 27.5% of the population in the study area while the National ratio is 21.1%. The 0-20 age group proportion is almost stable around 22%


since 1999. But the active group (20-60) proportion is dropping steadily. Nevertheless the recent migration trend, attracting more young active people should contribute to slow down the ageing trend in the next coming years.

Population trends

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Figure 5: Age composition of the Sète area and comparative growth index of population. Source: INSEE

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Figure 6: Compared age structure of the population in the Sète study area, the Languedoc Roussillon region and France as a whole. Source: INSEE


2.2 Ethnicity and migration Sète and its surroundings are populated by three major communities with different cultures.

• The Italian community settled during the 19th century, moving away from poverty in their country, to seek work opportunities abroad. Most of the fishermen of the Sète are from families originating from Italy.

• In the middle of the 20th century, there has been a significant migration from Spain to the region Languedoc Roussillon, after the Spanish civil war (1936 – 1939). During the dictatorship of Franco in 1975, many people settled in the South of France.

• The French community is a permanent settlement, but nevertheless comprised of people originating also from neighbouring regions.

Though it is smaller, there is also a North African community (Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia) that is also significant in the area, and present in workforce in the fishing and aquaculture sectors


3 Economic aspects The following table shows the evolution of the value-added generated by the main economic sectors in the study area. The value-added for the study area has been estimated on the basis of the value-added generated at Regional level (Languedoc Roussillon, the smallest economic unit considered by the National Statistical Institute) prorated by the number of jobs in each economic branch at study area level.

In 2006 (latest official figure, data for 2007 and 2008 are estimates), the total value-added generated in the study area was cloe to € 4.5 billion at 2006 prices. Table 2: Value added generated by main economic sectors in current prices in the Study area. Source: from INSEE

Sector 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007* 2008* Agriculture 149 138 122 125 138 128 Industrie 332 344 350 364 370 391 Construction 229 253 273 302 334 355 Services 3 144 3 348 3 519 3 724 3 930 4 049 TOTAL Value added 3 853 4 082 4 263 4 515 4 773 4 924 * Estimates

The tertiary sector (services) dominates the local economy. Since the end of the 20th Century, the local economy evolved from an economy based on rural activities to an economy based on services which represents now 80% of local jobs in 2006. The industry secor employs 7.8% of the workforce, construction 7% and agriculture 4.7%.

3.1 Importance of economic activities The regional agriculture sector is estimated to represent 2.8% of the regional value-added in 2006. The agriculture industry specialises on plants (i.e. crops), with the culture of grapes for the production of wines dominating the sector. In 2004-2005, wine production represented 47% of agriculture production, a decrease from 55% some 20 years ago. Agriculture of fruits and vegetables represents now 33% of agriculture production and large culture of cereals 8% of total productions. According to studies published by the Regional Authority, the regional agriculture sector lost 20% of its employment and 25% of its value-added between 1990 and 2006. The main factors are an increased competition with wines produced in foreign countries and; at National level, a drop in average daily consumption of wine by households. The wine sector try to restructure by producing higher quality wines (vins de pays, controlled origin - AOC) with a diversification on fruits and vegetables (cultures maraîchères) and organic cultures. However, the wine industry remains the pillar of the regional agriculture sector supported as such by local and regional Authorities. The value added of the agriculture sector in the study area is estimated close to € 128 million in 2008.

The regional industrial sector is poorly developed. However, new developments in agro-industries, renewable energies or information technologies give an impetus for increased development supported by the development of a partnership between the industrial and research sectors supported by the Regional Authority. Between 2000 and 2008, the value-added generated by the industrial sector increased by 10% in current term. However, employment in industry remained stable. The development of the industry has had a positive impact on the development of the service sector. The value added of the industrial sector in the study area is estimated close to €391 million in 2008.

The development of the regional construction sector is underpinned by the demand in infrastructure and housings stimulated by the regional population growth rare and the development of the tourism industry (steady increase of accommodation capacity). The value added generated


by this sector increased by 46% between 2000 and 2006 while the number of jobs in he sector increased by 30%. This economic sector generates 7.2% of the regional value added (compared to 5.8% at national level), representing € 355 million in 2008.

The value-added generated by the regional service sector increased by € 1 billion at constant price between 2000 and 2006 (+30%) with parallel increase in employment (+25%). The non-merchant service sector (education, health and administration) represents roughly 1/3 of the value added of the sector. The three main activity sectors are the financial and real estate sector, the wholesale and retail sector, and the services to enterprises. Transports and services to individuals remain marginal. The total value-added of the service sector (merchant and non-merchant) was estimated to be in excess of € 4 billion in 2008.

The tourism industry is important for the region (103 million overnights, 15 million visitors; 2 million beds accommodation capacity, the 4th tourism destination in France). Visitors are French in majority originating from the region itself and from other French Regions (Rhône-Alpes, Midi-Pyrénées, and Île-de-France). Foreign visitors are essentially from the United Kingdom, Germany or Netherlands) and represent 1/3 of regional visitors. Tourism activity is concentrated over the summer months with 30% of overnights in July and August. The number of visitors followed a decreased trend since 2001, before increasing again from 2005. Employment generated by the tourism industry is estimated at 15,700 jobs in summer and 7,700 the rest of the year. According to the Regional Authority, one direct employment in tourism would generate two indirect jobs.

3.2 Employment and unemployment In the region, 53.9 % of employment is in small and medium enterprises of less than 50 employees, compared to 48.4% at National level. There are few large companies of more than 300 employees in the region. In 2005, only 20 companies of that size were present in the Languedoc Roussillon region, and only one (AREVA, manufacturing of electric equipment) present in the study area (in Lattes).

Over the last decade, economy has weakened due to the high level of migration. The high rate of unemployment is directly correlated with the population increase.

Unemployment rate is 3% higher than at national level, at 12.7% in the study area, and 13,8% in Sète and the 12 municipalities close nearby. Nevertheless, the region is very dynamic in creating new jobs : + 11,4% between 2002 and 2007, but demography increases at a faster rate.

According to the last census carried out in 2006 (INSEE), the service sector generates the majority of employment opportunities (nearly 63,400 jobs, 80% of the 78,800 jobs in the study area), ahead of the industry sector (6,200 jobs, 8% of local employment), the construction sector (5,600 jobs, 7% of local employment) and the agriculture sector (3,700 jobs, 5% of local employement).


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Figure 7: Employment data for the Sète study area and comparative unemployment trends. Source: INSEE

Sète area dependency on the fishing and aquaculture industries The following table summarises the main macro-economic indicators pertaining to the fisheries and aquaculture industry in the study area. For each segment of the industry, the data are detailed in the relevant sections of this report (section 4 and after). With a total turnover of € 266 million and a value added of € 60 million, the industry would represent 60 / 4,077 = 1.5% of the regional value added. Concerning employment, the fisheries and aquaculture industry shows a contribution in the region of 2.6% to the 78,800 FTEs recorded in 2006. Table 3: Main macro-economic indicators of the fisheries and aquaculture industry in the study area for 2007. Source: own estimates

(in €M) Turnover (in €M) Value-added (in €M) FTEs Aquaculture 33 23 1 000 Fishing 39 22 730 Primary processing 160 10 160 Secondary processing 32 6 150 Ancillary 1 0 15 TOTAL 266 61 2 055

3.3 Infrastructure As discussed below, the Sète area is readily connected to the rest of France, Europe and North Africa through road, rain, air or sea.

Sète is 15 km from the highway A9 (connecting Lyon to Spain). This highway connects with highway A 61 linking strait with the Atlantic coast; highway A 75 linking strait with Paris and highway A 54 linking with Marseille and Italy.

A major railway line, connecting Paris to Barcelona, goes through the area with a station in Sète and one in Agde. High-speed Trains (TGV) are available linking Paris and Montpellier in 3h15; and high-speed continuation up to Barcelona is planned.


Sète harbour is linked to the Rhone river by the « Rhone to Sète canal ». It offers an access to a territory at 600 km from the maritime port.

The airports of Montpellier (20 km from Sète) and Béziers are located near the borders of the study area. These two airports connect with a wide range of national and internation destinations. Two regional airports specialise of freight : « Montpellier Méditerranée » and « Nîmes Alès Camargue Cevennes ». They can be reached from the Sète area by highway.

With traffic in excess of 3 million tonnes per year, including 80% of imports, the commerce harbour of Sète handles more than 50% of the regional maritime freight, but only 1% of the total National maritime freight. First specialised on the commerce on wine, then on petroleum products, the port of Sète has an important passenger traffic with North Africa with 226,000 passengers. The turnover of the harbour was € 10.4 million in 2008. Since January 2007, the Region Languedoc Roussillon owns and manages the port of Sète. Faced with decreasing volumes of traffic (-6% compared to 2007) and also decreasing numbers of passengers (-20% compared to 2007), the Region seeks to develop the harbour as a hub concentrating industrial and service activities). Approximately € 200 million investments are forecast to develop port infrastructures (quays, maintenance and repair area) and superstructures (logistic area, agrofood facilities) and a partnership agreement with the harbour of Barcelone has been concluded.

The study area has also 18 marinas dedicated to recreational boating with a capacity of 15,576 moorings in 2005. These ports generate a turnover of € 6 million with 211 direct jobs. According to Affaires Maritimes, the recreational boating sector represents a turnover of € 44 million (2008) with 411 direct jobs generated. With 4,860 moorings, Port Camargue is the first French marina.

There are a large number of education and training facilities in the Sète area. Initial training is available from a large number of primary and secondary schools and lyceums (18 colleges, 3 lyceums in Sète, 1 in Agde and 1 in Lattes), with additional facilities available in the neighbouring localities (21 colleges and 11 lyceums in Montpellier and Béziers). Higher education is available from the University of Montpellier and private schools. In total, there are about 93,000 students registered in the Academy of Montpellier spread in more than 70 different establishments. In 2006, 74.6% of children aged between 2 and 5 were schooled, and 99% of children aged between 6 and 11.

There are two training facilities specialised in fisheries and aquaculture in the Sète area: the Paul Bousquet school providing initial and on-the-job training for approximately 60 pupils per year, and the Creufop (University of Montpellier) with initial and on-the-job training facilities for the aquaculture sector.

3.4 Local development plans The study area (32 municipalities) does not consist in a single administrative unit and does not have its own development plan as such. It belongs to the region (NUTS 2) “Languedoc Roussillon”, and 30 municipalities out of 32 belong to the départment (NUTS 3) “Hérault-34”. The 2 remaining belong to the départment “Gard-30”. Thus, the study will highlight the development plans of those two territorial units with a focus to the coastal zone. The analysis will focus on the marine sector with an additional look into both agriculture (wine production) and tourism sector, since potential for synergies is high.

In 2008, the Regional Council of Languedoc Roussillon adopted the PACTE programme. The objective of the programme is to coordinate all public policies of the Region in a single planning exercise articulated in three objectives:

• Equality of chances - education, health, culture, sport

• Economic development with specific objective of reaching a GDP per habitant comparable to the European average (the region is currently 12 points below this average) and an unemployment rate also close to the European average (the current unemployment rate in the Region is 13.1% compared to 9% at European level), and increasing private


investments. The region updated its support policy accordingly and will grant financial support to private entities that will submit multiannual development plans with creation of wealth and employment opportunities

• Sustainable development with objective to manage the increase of the population (forecasts are 500,000 to 800,000 additional habitants in 2030, a better integration of the Region in the regional trade environment, in particular with Barcelona and Cataluna and the EuroMediterranean trade.

The Region has specifically addressed the fishing and aquaculture sector. In a resolution adopted in October 2008, the Region has formally adopted a strategy structured under 9 broad objectives:

1- Develop the markets for regional products

The Region will contribute to this objective by supporting the development of the regional “brand” Sud de France

2- Organise and structure the commercialisation and processing industries

The Region will support projects aiming to:

• Improve vertical communication between the different stakeholders (landing forecasts, information on markets)

• Improve coordination between ports in order to optimise valorisation of regional products and decrease the level of withdrawals (modernise sale systems, implement distant-purchase facilities through internet)

• Define a project for improving sales, supported by an adequate inter-professional association. This is a priority for the small pelagic sub-sector currently poorly organised with recurrent marketing problems

3- Develop the interface between producing regions and consuming regions

The Region will contribute to the creation of areas dedicated to the commercialisation and the promotion of regional products and associating supermarkets, retailers, the catering sector.

4- Support installation of young recruits

The Region will support creation of enterprises by young entrepreneurs through financial aids (loan conditions)

5- Increase competitiveness of the fishing enterprises

The Region will support projects that can demonstrate at least a 3 year visibility. It will create a new fund for modernisation in conjunction with EFF to increase competitiveness, to increase the quality of products onboard, to improve working and security conditions and to reduce impacts on the environment. The Region will focus on the polyvalent small boat fleet of less than 18 m as it is thought to be the best suited to natural conditions (polyvalent fleet, moderate environmental impacts, interaction with tourism)

6- Support fish processing industries

The Region will base its effort on the newly created processing centre in Frontignan (pépinière d’entreprises SIMYRA). This centre is being renovated and is expected to support the creation of innovating projects as from 2009.

7- Rationalise and structure shore equipments

With more than 70 landing sites on the territory of the Region, infrastructures improvement needs to be coordinated. Projects of development of landing sites used by the polyvalent small boat fleet could be supported if they are borne by cooperative structure able to manage the investments in the long term, and if there are synergies with other regional initiatives concurring to structuring the commercialisation and processing sub-sectors.


8 – Support the development of a management plan of fisheries of the Gulf of Lion for sustainable exploitation of the resources

The Region will support the creation of a Regional Fisheries Protection zone with specific management measures taking into consideration all fishing activities within and beyond the 12 miles zone.

9- Support diversification of fishing activities and reconversion of certain fishermen

The Region will support diversification initiatives that can increase fishermen earnings and contribute to a balance of exploitation between the various fisheries. The Region will also contribute to the implementation of training programme to support reconversion of fishermen on new fisheries.

Both Département of Hérault and of Gard do not have a defined strategy for the fisheries and aquaculture sector. Howver, as owner of landing sites, both territorial collectivites have budgeted interventions in ports under the general straegic framework of a regional plan.


4 Fisheries and aquaculture sectors With a fleet of 500 vessels, the fishing sector in the area represents:

35 % of the fishing fleet of the French Mediterranean,

500 aquaculture (shellfish) farms

2,000 direct jobs (fishing and shellfish farming) and close to 2,000 indirect jobs,

over 40,000 tons of sea products landed (10,000 to 15,000 tons from the fishing sector and over 20,000 tons of shellfish from the aquaculture sector)

The fishing industry includes also 26 fish primary processors; and 11 fish secondary processors are settled in the area and 5 other companies are settled in the hinterland less at than 50 km. There are few links between the secondary processing sub-sector and the local fishing and aquaculture sub-sector as most of the raw material is imported.

4.1 Details of the local fishing fleets 4.1.1 Fleets In 2008, the local fishing fleet comprised 59 trawlers, 20 tuna purse seiners, and 420 polyvalent small artisanal boats (sea and lagoons, called locally petits métiers).

The purse seiners (20 to 45 m) are specialized in catching bluefin tuna (thunnus thynnus) in the western Mediterranean (up to Libya). This segment is quite recent, and most vessels have been built between 1990 and 2005. Catches are mainly exported to Asia and specifically Japan. The biggest fish are transferred alive into cages located in Spain or other Mediterranean Member States to be fattened before export to Japan. Smaller bluefin may be landed directly, although fattening units also buy small fish as well to carry over fattening over two years. The purse seiners do not target any other species. They remain quayside outside the bluefin fishing season.

Purse seiners

The 59 trawlers (vessels from 18 to 25 m), operate mainly on the continental shelf of the Gulf of Lion. Contributing to 95% of the caches (Bluefin tuna not taken into account) the trawlers segment is the structuring backbone of the fishing sub-sector. Ancillary facilities are mainly depending on the trawlers activity. These vessels are operating daily and are landing every day. They stop activity during a couple of weeks every year on base of the calendar fixed by the prud’homies. The trawling licence allows practicing bottom and pelagic trawl indifferently. In Sète the trawlers are averaging an age of 15 years. In Agde and le Grau du Roi the vessels are averaging around 30 years

Trawlers

Small polyvalent boats are length limited by regulation at 18m. They practice artisanal fishing in the lagoons (Thau mainly) or in the coastal waters. The segment is very diverse and counts 420 vessels in the Sète area (corresponding to the study area). Main fishing gears are : gillnet, trammel net, hand line, long line, trap, octopus pots, seine, dredge, diving, capechades. More than 84% of the vessels are less than 8 meters length and more than 95% are less than 12 meters length. Although this fleet specialises on exploitation of resources in the coastal lagoons and inshore areas (within 3 miles from the coast), a part of the fleet (≈ 30 vessels) used to specialise on fishing of bluefin tuna with driftnets in offshore areas during the summer season (locally called thonailleurs). This activity is formally forbidden since 2007.

Small polyvalent boats


Table 4: Summary of the Sète fishing fleet in 2008. Source: Affaires Maritimes

Segment (length class)

Total number

of fishermen

Number of

vessels

main gears used

Number of crew

(average)

Main species fished

Main fishing area

Small boats Small booats 00-12 (95%) 12-18 (5%)

590 420

gillnet, trammel net, hand line, long line, trap, octopus pots, seine, dredge, diving, capechades

1.4

eel, angler, gilthead sea bream, sole, seabass, hake, octopus, squid

GFCM -GSA 07

Trawlers

Trawlers 18-25 250 59

bottom trawl 4

angler, gilthead sea bream, sole, seabass, hake, octopus, squid

GFCM -GSA 07

pelagic trawl 6.3

sardine, anchovy, mackerel, hake, chinchard

GFCM -GSA 07

Purse seiners Purse

seiners 24-40+

172 20 purse seine 12.0 blue fin tuna FAO 37

TOTAL ALL 1012 499

In terms of vessel numbers, the small polyvalent fleet concentrates 84% of the total Sète fleet number. However, this fleet represents only 11% of the local fishing fleet capacity expressed in GT. The trawler fleet (48% of local fleet capacity and 12% of fleet number) and the bluefin purse seine fleet (41% of local fleet capacity and 4% of fleet number) concentrate the bulk of the local fishing capacity.

Trends The following figures show the recent evolution of the Sète fishing fleet

As concerns the small polyvalent boat segment, there is a decrease of 15% in fleet number between 2003 and 2008 with a decrease of 21% in fishing capacity expressed in GT. In the 90’s, the small polyvalent boat segment numbered 982 fishing vessels, and consequently lost 57% of its numbers in 18 years. According to local stakeholder, the decrease of the small polyvalent boat segment is not attributable to problems related to fishing opportunities (although fishing possibilities on eels have been reduced recently) but to the poor attractiveness of the profession (tough conditions, variable income). In addition, the Sète small-sale fleet has operated on the model of an informal sector during years, and pressure from the French Authority on operators to regularise their situation (proper registration of vessel and its owner, payment of taxes, submission of catch declarations) probably discouraged a great number of operators. A large number of


polyvalent small vessels also took advantage of FIFG decommissioning scheme which were not as targeted on sensible fisheries as are the EFF scrapping schemes.

During the same 2003-2008 period, the demersal and pelagic trawler segment lost 11 units (-15%) but only 2% of its fishing capacity expressed in GTs. This trend is explained by recent construction of new trawlers between 2003 and 2004 (11 vessels) using capacities of older trawlers.

The number of large purse seiners targeting bluefin tuna has increased 16 units in 2000 to 24 units in 2003/ 2004. This number remained fairly constant over the 2003/2007 period, with a decreasing trend starting in 2008 (20 purse seiners left). Additional Sète purse seiners (5 units) will be decommissioned over 2009 and 2010 under the Fleet Decommissioning Scheme targeting the bluefin fishery. The Sète purse seine fleet represents about half of the French Mediterranean purse seine fleet. The other existing purse seiners are registered in Marseille (8 units in 2009) and in Port Vendres (8 units in 2009).

Nbr of registered vessels 2003 - 2008

442 420

497 480454 442

70 74 75 62 63 59

202324242324

499512528

553577591

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

source : Monographie 2008 DIDAM 30 34

Num

ber o

f ves

sels

Small polyvalenentboats 00-12 (95%)12-18 (5%)Trawlers18-25

Purse seiners 24-40+

ALL

Figure 8: Evolution of the number of vessels by segment. Source: Affaires Maritimes


Power of registered vessels trend 2003 - 2008

28 634 27 48330 356 29 658 28 572 28 870

21 877 23 04923 470

19 36219 657 18 628

15 41616 34916 93816 64316 27116 871

61 527

64 64065 17068 68568 97869 104

0

10 000

20 000

30 000

40 000

50 000

60 000

70 000

80 000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008


pow

er o

f ves

sels

in K

W



ALL

Figure 9: Evolution of the power of vessels by segment. Source: Affaires Maritimes

Tonnage of registered vessels trend 2003 - 2008

1 4211 4501 4771 488

1 175

1 361

4 2064 2494 1885 027

4 900

4 284

4 697

4 690

5 121 4 9755 088 4 979

10 469

11 067

11 598

10 584 10 698

10 360

0

2 000

4 000

6 000

8 000

10 000

12 000

14 000

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008


Tona

ge o

f ves

sels

in G

RT



ALL

Figure 10: Evolution of the tonnage of vessels by segment. Source: Affaires Maritimes


4.1.2 Employment in catching sub-sector According to statistics produced by IFREMER, there would be roughly 970 persons employed as crew on the Sète fishing fleet. About 50% of the positions are on polyvalent small vessels (petits metiers), and the other half on the trawler and purse seine fleet. Given the size of the purse seine fleet (23/24 units) and is average crew (13 per vessel), the total number of position onboard this fleet would be in the region of 300, with by deduction, 230 to 240 positions onboard the trawler fleet. Over the recent 2003-2008 period, the number of crew remained fairly constant. Table 5: Total number of crew by fishing segment. Source: IFREMER

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Number of active crew Mixted coastal and lagoon < 3 miles 203 203 204 204 200 206 Coastal - <3 miles 52 48 43 39 30 47 Coastal - 3 à 12 miles 140 145 150 155 161 179 3 to 12 miles 40 44 47 51 57 48 Mixed 309 289 270 250 236 130 Beyond 12 miles 233 229 226 222 275 359 Total 977 958 940 921 959 969

The statistics are fairly below those published by the Ministry (Affaires Maritimes). In 2008, the total number of seamen registered by the administration was 1,656 (as opposed to 969 by IFREMER). The difference is explained by the fact that the administration records a seaman as soon as he has worked 1 day in the year, and the administration takes also into account seamen working in the aquaculture segment (conchyliculture – petite pêche). The administration statistics clearly overestimate the number of jobs onboard the Sète fleet.

The number of crew position onboard the Sète fleet does not reflect the number of FTEs as some segments of the fishing fleet have highly seasonal activity. There is no official estimate of the number of FTEs. The following assumptions can be made to estimate the number of FTEs

• Polyvalent small vessels operating in lagoon and coastal waters work between 180 and 200 days per year. Assuming that full-time employment is equivalent to 250 days per year, the FTEs for this category are 75% of the number of crew

• For polyvalent coastal vessels working in the inshore zone up to 12 miles, records of activity are 120 days per year. The number of FTEs for this category is therefore estimated as 50% of the number of crew.

• For trawlers, the activity is assumed to be a full time-activity

• For tuna purse seiners, the fishing season lasted 6 month until 2008 included (the fishing season has been shortened from 2008). Including time for preparation before and after the fishing season, employment onboard this fleet segment would last 9 months, giving an estimate of FTE equal to 75% of crew positions.

On this basis, an applying the FTEs estimates to the table above, the total number of FTEs onboard the Sète fishing fleet is estimated to be 730 for 2008, with 268 FTEs in the polyvalent small boat segment, 237 FTEs on the trawl segment, and 225 FTEs on the tuna purse seiner segment. Since 2009, the length of the bluefin fishing seas has been considerably reduced (2 months in 2009, 1 month in 2010). The total number of FTEs is consequently expected to decrease significantly to approximately 580 in 2010.

The average age of seamen is 45 in the study area, above the National average. The aging seamen population is linked to the absence of recruits in the sub-sector (only 23% of the seamen population is aged of less than 30). In addition, the sub-sector is deemed to be poorly attractive. In particular, working condition onboard the trawler fleet (≈ 240 FTEs) deters installation of young


fishermen. The majority of new installations are consequently to be found in the polyvalent small fleet segment. This segment also attracts fishermen formerly working on other segments. In particular, fishermen working on the purse seine fleet and impacted by the reduction of the length of the fishing season are likely to seek reconversion in the small-scale fleet segment.

4.2 Fish stock status Bluefin (Thunnus thynnus)

The French purse seine fleet catches 95% of the French bluefin quota. The fishing possibilities available to Sète purse seiners shrunk dramatically over the past two years, triggering the decommissioning of 5 Sète purse seiners in 2010.

bluefin is a tuna species exploited in the Atlantic and in the Mediterranean. This species is managed by ICCAT, a RFMO having the mandate for conservation and management of highly migratory species living in the Atlantic, including the Mediterranean. According to latest assessment, bluefin tuna is overexploited and subject to an international recovery plan. The management measure includes a total TAC of 13,500 tonnes until 2012 but subject to revision in 2010, plus additional technical measures including the shortening of the purse seine fishing season to 1 month. The following table shows the bluefin quota available for French vessels, the EU fleet and the total TAC shared between ICCAT parties. The figures below do not tale into account EU repayment for quota overage in 2007.

Table 6: Fishing possibilities (in tonnes) for bluefin. Source: EU TAC & quota regulations.

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 France 6 298 6 233 6 193 6 182 5 594 5 306 3 591 2 021 EU 19 232 18 450 18 331 18 301 16 780 16 210 11 906 7 113 Total TAC 32 000 32 000 32 000 32 000 29 500 28 500 22 000 13 500

Small pelagics include mainly sardine Sardina pilchardus and anchovy Engraulis encrasicholus. The Sète fishing fleet (mostly trawlers) catches also mackerel Scomber scombrus and horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus but to a lesser extent. Monitored since 1993 by IFREMER, the small pelagic stocks are assumed by the scientific council of GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, a RFMO) to be within safe limits. However, the exploitation targets remain unknown and the advice is not to increase fishing effort on these species.

In 2008 and 2009, sardine and anchovy catches by the Mediterranean fleet (including the Sète fleet) decreased dramatically. The reasons for this drop in abundance are unknown and several hypothesis are being investigated by the research sector, including environmental drivers, results of increased fishing mortality, and even increased natural mortality under the pressure of increased predator biomasses (… including bluefin tuna).

Demersal species includes all species that are not highly migratory or small pelagics. The status of the resource is monitored by IFREMER since 1983. The scientific committee of GFCM assess the hake stock as being overexploited and the red mullet stock (Mullus barbatus) as being fully exploited. There is no information on the status of other demersal stocks of interest for the Sète fleet.

During its last meeting between 25th and 29th January 2010, the GFCM scientific Committee endorsed the following conclusions and recommendations for review during the 34th Plenary meeting of the Commission in April 2010.


Table 7: Summary of GFCM Scientific Committee recommendations

Species Stock status Exploitation Abundance Recommendation Comments

Pelagic species

Sardina pilchardus

Moderately exploited Moderate Intermediate Do not increase

fishing effort

Engraulis encrasicolus

Moderately exploited Moderate Low Do not increase

fishing effort

Demersal species

Merlucius merlucius Overexploited High Low Need to reduce

fishing effort

Mullus barbatus Fully exploited Moderate Intermediate Need to reduce fishing effort

The Scientific Committee was unanimously of the opinion that strong evidence exist which could allow to the Commission to envisage strengthening of the resolution adopted last session and related to the general reduction of fishing effort on demersal species in all GFCM competence areas.

It may worth recalling that there are no TACs or quota in the Mediterranean, except for bluefin. The main management tool is the licence. All trawlers must have a licence. This concerns also the bluefin fleet (purse seiners and artisanal) with allocation of Special Fishing Permits. For the polyvalent small boat fleet, a licence is required for fishing within the limits of the Thau lagoon and for fishing eels and Donax (= Telline in French). Access to other resources outside the Thau lagoon by the polyvalent small scale fleet is currently not subject to licensing.

Management plans Consistent with GFCM recommendations, the principle, the timetable and the objectives of the management plans are defined by Reg (EU) 1967/2006 concerning management measures for the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources in the Mediterranean Sea. Articles 18 and 19 (Management plans) indicates that Member States shall adopt, by 31 December 2007, management plans for fisheries conducted by trawl nets, seines and dredges in their territorial waters (where most of the Sète fleet is present).

The French Authorities submitted draft management plans to the European Commission. However, these plans have not been approved due to insufficient technical and scientific information on the fisheries. However, the process is still ongoing. The Sète area is concerned by two management plans, including a trawl management plans for fisheries outside the 3 miles limit, and a dredge management plans for fisheries within the Thau lagoon. The main operational proposals included in the management plans for these two fishing gears are as follows.

The current licensing scheme for trawling allows switching from demersal to pelagic fishing and vice-versa. The French management plans would clearly separate licensing for both activities.

Trawl management plan :

The regulation anticipates that 50 mm diamond mesh size can be adopted to replace the current 40 mm square mesh. These two mesh sizes do not give the same results in terms of selectivity, and the most selective will be retained. Experiments are being carried out in this respect.


In order to limit the impact on environment, the objective of zero trawling within the 3 miles zone will be adopted.

The adoption of one or several parameters limiting the maximum dimensions of trawls would be considered to eliminate the consideration of engine power of the trawlers, some vessels having too high power installed onboard.

The Dredge management plan will be underpinned by the two following objectives :

Dredge management plan :

Maintain CPUE of target species at the minimum, with possible increases if there is no impact on other species.

Dredge has been identified as having a medium to high impact on environment that needs to be assessed and reduced. The impacts of redeployment on other fishing techniques (pots for example) need to be assessed as well.

4.3 Fisheries infrastructure 4.3.1 Fishing Ports and landing places There is a total of 26 ports used by the fishing and aquaculture industries in the study area:

• 3 main fishing ports (Agde, Sète and Grau du Roi) equipped with adequate facilities for the fleets (ice making plants, quays, auctions) as well as facilities for handling and trade of aquaculture products.

• 15 mixed harbours used by the fishing fleet and the recreational fleet

• 8 mixed harbours used by the fishing fleet and the aquaculture sector

The following tables detail the main characteristics of the 26 ports. The Regional Authority has approved further investments in the ports, some of which will be funded under art. 39 of EFF. Investments in the different ports of the region are coordinated under a regional fishing harbour management plan (Plan Régional d’Equipement des Ports de Pêches) adopted in 2009. The two main objectives underpinning the port investment strategy are:

• To ensure that landing and first sale operations are carried out in compliance with the regulations in aquaculture ports and in fishing ports without an auction, while supporting the development and the diversification of marketing channels

• To rationalise investments in auction rooms

As shown in the tables, investments will be concentrated on the three main fishing ports, with special emphasis on Agde as this port has currently less facilities than the other ports.


LANDING AND FIRST SALE - Port facilities and services available

Site

Man

agem

ent

Dep

arte

men

t

Type

Act

ivity

Mas

Nbr

e na

vire

s

1ere

ven

te

Qua

i déb

arqu

e

Sta

tionn

emen

t

Ent

repo

sage

frig

o +

Travaux réalisé ou en projet au titre de l'article 39 du FEP

Ports de pêche , associés à une criéeCriée So.Co.Ma.P 12 pontons Oui

Criée La Graulenne Oui

Vente directe / étal

Criée blanc gérée / EPR

Criée bleu gérée / Sa.Tho.An.

Vente directe (très peu)

Criée

Un peu de vente directe

(Sources : CRPMEM - Plan Régional d'Equipement des Ports de Pêche PREPP 2009)

Consolider le bassin du midiAménager les terre pleins du midiAméliorer le système informatique de la criéeModerniser ls site de production de glace de Sète Qualité

Rénover et alloger les quais de débarquementAménager une zone techniqueAméliorer le stockage du matériel des PMAméliorer les services au mareyeursAméliorer la chaine du froid de la criéeAméliorer le contrôle sous criéeModerniser l'informatique de la criéeModerniser le port de pche

Moderniser le port de pêche

Oui 500 m²

PP Mer Etang

27 CHAL17 THO

15 PM Mer10 PM Etang(env. 70 PM débarquent)

300m

Mer Oui 35 PM

9 CHAL4 THO

60 m devant criée66 m refait 2001120 m construit 2009210 m prévus en 2010plus pontons et quai de stationnement en aval

34 PPL

Le Grau du Roi

Le Grau d'Agde CG 34

CG 34

Sète Môle CR LR 34

30 PPL Mer Etang 26 CHAL59 PM Débarque au stationnement des navires

En aval de 'l'Herault, 5 pontons pour les petits métiers + un nouveau quai de 75 m + un nouveau ponton de 14 m

quais


Site

Con

céda

nt

Dép

Type

Act

ivité

Mas

Num

ber o

f ve

ssel

s

Firs

t Sal

e

Land

ing

quay

s

Moo

rings

Ent

repo

sage

frig

o +


Ports mixtes pêche / plaisance (sans conchyliculture)

Bouzigues port CG 34 34 PPL Etang 15 PMCollecteVente directeTransport vers criée

OK

Carnon Commune 34 PPL Mer 4 PM Non Non

Frontignan plage Commune 34 PPL Etang 20 PM Vente directe / étal OK réfrigérateurs individuels

Sète pointe courte Commune 34 PPL Etang 20 PM

Sète Ile de Thau Commune 34 PPL Etang 3 PM Collecte Transport vers criée

Sète pont levis Commune 34 PPL Etang 3 PM Collecte Transport vers criée Non

Sète les quilles Commune 34 PPL Mer 3 PM Vente directeTransport vers criée Non

Balaruc port Suttel 34 PPL Etang 15 PMCollecteVente directeTransport vers criée

pontons

Mèze port aux nacelles CG 34 34 PPL Etang 10 PM

CollecteVente directe (Halles de Mèze)Transport vers criée

Mèze nouveau port CG 34 34 PPL Etang 3 PM

CollecteVente directe (Halles de Mèze)Transport vers criée

Marseillan Tabarka CG 34 34 PPL Etang 32 garages 4 PM Collecte

Marseillan plage Commune 34 PPL Etang 4 PM Pas de vente directe

Cap d'Agde Commune 34 PPL Mer 15 PM Vente directeTransport vers criée Oui à la criée

Valras plage Commune 34 PPL Mer 16 PM1 CHAL Vente directe à Valras


Aménager une zone de vente pour le PM, avec 16 étalsOKMer Etang 54 PMPPLPalavas Commune 34 Vente directe / étal

Transport vers criées

39 anneaux PL83 places / pêche

123 anneaux PL et 10 visiteurs39 places / pêche

pontons vétustes

OK

20 anneaux pêche80 anneaux plaisance

quai OK


Site

Con

céda

nt

Dép

Type

Act

ivité

Mas

Nbr

e na

vire

s

1ere

ven

te

Qua

i déb

arqu

e

Sta

tionn

emen

t

Ent

repo

sage

frig

o +


Ports mixtes pêche / conchyliculture / (plaisance éventuelle)

Frontignan zone portuaire CR LR 34 PCM Mer

5 entreprises

à terre

Barges conchylicoles très peu

Sète Barrou Etat 34 PCM Etang 29 Mas 18 PM Collecte Non

Loupian la conque Etat 34 PCM Etang 210 Mas 15 PM Restaurateurs associés aux mas conchylicoles OK

Mèze Amoutous Etat 34 PCM Etang 50 Mas (28 actifs) 5 PM Non

Mèze Mourre Blanc CG 34 34 PCM Etang 194 Mas (tous actifs) 24 PM

Vente coquillages aux mareyeursVente directe / étals N 113

Aménagement du port conchylicole du Mourre Blanc

Marsseillan Montpénèdre Etat 34 PCM Etang 17 Mas

(16 actifs) 2 PM Vente directe

Marseillan les Mazets CG 34 34 PCM Etang 89 Mas (72 actifs) 17 PM

Vente coquillages aux mareyeursVente directe

Vendres CG 34 34 PCMPL Mer2 PM

Barges conchylicoles

Transport vers criée Agde


OK pour conchyliculteurspas de place visiteurs

port existantaménagements nécessaires

faible profondeur 4 m

8 pontons conchylicoles4 pêcheurs

227 anneaux plaisance120 Places à sec


4.3.2 Auction halls The three auctions located in the study area are based in Sète and Agde in Hérault and in Grau du Roi in Gard. The following table provides details on the equipments available, as well as other information relative to trade.

The trawler fleet is at the origin of most fisheries products sold under local auctions (≈ 90% in weight and ≈ 80% in value). However, according to local stakeholders, the landings under auctions of the polyvalent small boat fleet are following an increasing trend. This is explained by higher prices obtained compared to direct sale to buyers, and easier access to auctions facilities now adapted to the particularities of the activity: storage of products in cold rooms during the morning (sales are in the afternoon) and during the week-ends and bank holydays, ice supply available 24/24, presentation for sale of products of the small-scale fleet at the beginning of the process.


Table 8: Details of the three fish auctions located in the study area. Source: CEPRALMAR & CRPMEM

Auction Halls - location and details

Port Grau d'Agde

Halle à marée

SAEML Criée au

poisson des pays d'Agde

Criée de Sète Port Sud de

FranceSa.Tho.An. So. Co. Ma.P La Graulenne

Statut

Concédant du Port Conseil Général Hérault

Statut SEM (SA) EPR Port de Sète Coop Mar (SA) Coop Mar (SA) Coop Mar (SARL)

OP AMOP Non OP AMOP AMOP

Personnel 12 22 5 et 1/2 28 12

VentesProduit mis en vente Blanc Blanc Bleu Blanc et Bleu Blanc et Bleu

Enchères Descendantes Descendantes Montantes Descendantes (Blanc) Montantes

Vente / Téléphone Report Oui (Bleu) Principalement

Volumes 2008 1 340 tonnes

Valeurs 2008 5,4 M euros

Navires débarquant en 2008Petits métiers - Nbre navires 87

Petits métiers - Volume débarqué 14%

Petits métiers - Valeur débarquée 27%

Petits métiers - Prix moyen 7.76 €

Chalutiers - Nbre navires 10

Chalutiers - Volume débarqué 86%

Chalutiers - Valeur débarquée 73%

Chalutiers - Prix moyen 3.42 €

AcheteursMareyeurs français 12 25 20 5

Mareyeurs espagnols / italiens 4 0 30

Détaillants 35 55 165

Présence moyenne 25 35 15 30 0 à 12

Infrastructures et services

Quai de débarquement (m) 120 + 400Non

(stationnement seul)

Non (stationnement seul)

Surface locaux (m²) 540 1500 400 (refr) 600 dont 150 (refr) 120 dont 90 (refr)

Chambre froide positive (m²) 70 50 20 30

Chambre froide négative (m²) 10

Glace Production (tonnes / jour) 32 2 80 24 5

Glace Stockage (tonnes) 16 2 80 26 5

Sources : AMOP - Diagnostic des pratiques de 1ere mise en marché dans le Golfe du Lion - 2007CRPMEM - PREPP Languedoc Roussillon 2009

18,8 M euros 14,4 M euros

7 374 tonnes 6 312 tonnes

25

94%

83%

2.10 €

65

6%

17%

6.25 €

27

97%

93%

2.45 €

100

300

Sète Grau du Roi

Conseil Régional LR Conseil Général Gard

76

3%

7%

6.34 €

4.4 Details of the local catching sub-sector Catches of the local fishing fleets can be sold:

• Under auctions

• Directy to consumers (widespread for polyvalent small boats)

• Directly to fish traders or primary processors


The only landing records available are based on catches sold under auctions, which represent a large majority of sales. The data cover the landings of the trawler fleet and a portion of the landing of the polyvalent small boats. Landings of bluefin are only partly covered by the statistics as the species is often sold direct to buyers.

As detailed in the foregoing section, there are three auctions in the study area. In total, landings are in excess on 12,000 tonnes on average over the 2007-2009 period, with a corresponding value of nearly € 35 million per year. Sète auction concentrates 57% of local landings in weight and 50% in value. The second auction is Grau du Roi representing 31% of landings in weight and 34% in, value. Table 9: Sales under the three auctions located in the study area. Source FranceAgrimer

In Tonnes Auction 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Average 2007-2009

AGDE 1 217 941 950 1 199 1 625 1 347 1 428 1 466 GRAU 2 786 2 755 3 231 3 919 4 542 3 888 2 783 3 738 SETE 7 544 6 840 7 200 7 013 8 442 6 598 5 895 6 978 TOTAL (tonnes) 11 546 10 537 11 381 12 131 14 609 11 832 10 106 12 182 In KEUR

Auction 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Average 2007-2009 AGDE 4 073 3 496 3 620 4 831 5 979 5 414 5 292 5 561 GRAU 10 367 10 807 10 940 12 041 12 758 11 837 10 721 11 772 SETE 15 819 15 465 16 724 17 028 20 694 16 350 15 917 17 654 TOTAL (KEUR) 30 258 29 768 31 283 33 901 39 432 33 601 31 930 34 987

Although more than 100 species compose the landings, 10 species cumulate more than 82% of total landings in weight and 74% in value on average over the 2007-2009 period. These species are by decreasing weight in landings sardine, anchovy, hake, octopus, mackerel, capelin, horse mackerel, gilthead seabream, monkfish and conger. In terms of value, the top species are hake, anchovy, sardine, seabass, octopus, sole and gilthead seabream. Sales of bluefin tuna under the local auctions represent only 34 tonnes on average over the 2007-2009 period for a value of € 266,000.

The average first sale price across all species is € 2.87 / kg over the 2007-2009 period. The average prices of the main species are € 1.03 / kg for sardine, € 2.03 / kg for anchovy, € 3.93 / kg for hake, € 4.34 / kg for octopus, € 9.84 / kg for gilthead seabream and € 17.17 / kg for sole.

On the basis of the catch composition of the different fleet segments, a study estimated the average 2007 first sale price as:

• € 4 / kg to € 6 / kg for tuna purse seiners. Bluefin tuna is sold alive to fattening units

• € 2.37 kg for trawlers with this average price covering fairly different species like sardines (€ 0.70 / kg in 2007) and sole (€ 17.27 / kg in 2007)

• € 3.60 / kg for polyvalent small boats which offload mostly demersal species caught in the inshore zone and in the lagoons.

The following figures show the evolution of landings under auctions over the 2003-2009 period. The past two years are marked by a dramatic drop of landings of the two main small pelagic species caught in the area, sardine and anchovy. Between 2008 and 2009, sardine landings decreased by 49% from almost 4,000 tonnes to slightly more than 2,000 tonnes. Anchovy landings deceased by 33%, from more than 2,000 tonnes to 1,300 tonnes. Despite a slight increase in average price, the turnover on these two species decreased by 31% for sardine and as much as 54% for anchovy. The decreasing trend confirms over 2010. The reasons for such decrease are unknown and are being investigated by the research. Trawlers being able to switch for pelagic trawling to demersal trawling (the current licence regime does not separate the two activities), most


trawlers in the study area deployed effort on demersal stocks (hake, cephalopods). They could maintain turnover, but the impacts on demersal stocks may be negative.

S E T E QM - L anding s trends (quantity) 2003 - 2009

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The various fleets have seasonal restrictions on activity.

For the polyvalent small boat fleet, the weather conditions and the seasonal availability of species are the most limiting factors, although some seasonal restrictions on fishing of certain species (eels). On average, these vessels work less than 150 days per year.

The trawler fleet which represents the majority of the fishing capacity in the region has its activity limited by local regulations adopted by the prud’homies. The trawlers are allowed to go at sea only between 3:00 am and 19:00 pm (from 1:00 am in certain ports). Fishing by trawlers is prohibited on the Saturdays and the Sundays, and trawlers have to respect a 2 or 3 weeks annual seasonal closure, with the exact closure period being set every year. In total, the maximum number of days fishing allowed for trawlers is ≈ 250 days per year.

The tuna purse seine fleet is constrained by ICCAT management measures. In 2010, the tuna season is open for one month, between 15th May and 15th June. In 2009, the season lasted two months (15th April to 15th June) while until 2008, the fishing season was open 6 months (1st January to 30th June). The fishing season can be shortened if quotas are deemed to be exhausted

Concerning costs and earnings, the major factor is the dependency of the trawl fleet on fuel. On average, fuel represents 25% of turnover (2007 data) but already represented between 40 and 45% for certain trawlers. The Mediterranean fleet could receive the special support granted under the Fonds de Prévention des Aléas de la Pêche (FPAP), but this scheme stopped end 2007 and the beneficiaries have now to reimburse the aids received. The polyvalent small boats fleet is not under the same constraint as furl represents a small percentage of the turnover (less than 8%). This fleet segment is protected from National and International competition by its polyvalent activity, the high quality of the products landed, and the direct commercialisation to consumers or restaurants. However this activity is very dependant on the quality of the environment (impact of pollutions in lagoons and inshore zones, the development of urban areas and the development of tourism. Table 10: Activity indicators and costs by main fishing segment in 2007. Source: CRPMEM, IFREMER and DPMA

Métier Average

number of crew

Average number of days

% Fuel / turnover

% lubricant

/

% repair /

turnover

% Gear / turnover

% landing charges / turnover


fishing turnover Fixed nets 1.0 194 6.77% 0.34% 4.00% 7.92% 3.24% Diving 1.5 156 4.60% 1.48% 2.38% 3.17% 1.08% Small boats Sea 1.1 184 6.86% 0.88% 3.57% 27.96% 2.04% Small boats lagoon / Sea 1.3 154 7.26% 0.26% 3.29% 5.07% 2.16% Shellfish 1.5 161 1.88% 0.06% 5.80% 7.36% 4.00% Dredge 1.1 80 16.25% 5.80% 3.14% 8.71% 5.71% Netters 1.7 112 4.52% 0.40% 4.82% 11.14% 4.00% Polyvalent fixed gears 1.3 121 8.40% 0.58% 4.50% 10.86% 6.67% Other seiners 1.6 186 8.98% 1.64% 3.18% 10.13% 7.92% Bottom trawlers 4.0 181 23.50% 0.98% 4.83% 2.93% 6.92% Mixed trawlers 6.3 192 24.26% 0.91% 4.15% 2.82% 7.94%

Another particularity of the Sète area is the widespread use of artificial reefs. The first modules were installed within the 3 miles zone in 1968 in front of Palavas les Flots. Since then, 15,000 m3 of artificial reefs have been immerged in the 80ies in the Gulf of Lion, 7,000 m3 in the 90ies in front of Agde, and since 2000, several programmes representing 2,000 m3. The main reasons for developing artificial reefs are to improve stock recruitment and thereby fishing production, and to prevent trawling activities in the inshore 3 miles zone. Although trawling in this area is forbidden by Law, National Authorities could not enforce properly the prohibition.

The next figure shows the location of artificial reefs in the study area.


Figure 11: Location of artifical reefs in the study area. Source: CEPRALMAR

4.5 Details of the local processing sub-sector The local fish processing sub-sector can be split in three categories:

• The primary processing sub-sector including companies (mareyage) buying fish from the local fleet and commercialising it after light processing operation (fish preparation, packaging)

• The secondary processing sub-sector with companies specialised in the processing of fisheries products into value added products incurring a physico-chemical transformation of raw material

• The POs and cooperatives having a role in the commercialisation sub-sector


A total of 26 primary processing companies have been identified in the study area. These companies are wholesale companies that buy fisheries products from the local fleet (trawlers and polyvalent small boats to a lesser extent) and complement their offer with fisheries products imported from other countries. Depending on species, the main markets are Italy and Spain. Employment in the sub-sector was of 160 FTEs until 2007, with a decrease to 150 FTEs in 2008. The total turnover is estimated was in excess of € 160 million until 2007, decreasing to € 150 million in 2008. The value added generated by the primary processing sub-sector was € 8.5 million in 2008, less than the € 10 million generated the previous years.

In 2008, the Regional Authority realised a strategic study on the primary processing sub-sector. The main strengths of the local companies are high extra-fresh quality products, the control of niche markets with few external competitors, and a good business reputation. The main weaknesses are weak links with the production sub-sector (landing forecasts, few possibilities for distant purchase through internet), individualised know-how within the companies (no coherent professional organisation), a large variety of species but weak valorisation (little value added generated as the products are sold whole fresh) and dependency on exports markets. The main strategic orientations proposed are to restructure the first sale and to widen the supply opportunities, to create professional structures, to develop financial tools to support trade, to improve the quality of the species portfolio (presentation, grading) and to improve the logistic.

The markets for the main species have been analysed. The findings for the main species are as follows Table 11: Main characteristics of the markets for the main Sète species. Source; CEPRALMAR & RICEP

Species Market characteristics

62% of catches commercialised by local traders Octopus 71% are exported to Spain and Italy without processing Local traders complement their offer with imports from Senegal, Madagascar, Philippines, etc …

66% of catches commercialised by local traders Anchovy Spanish operators buy directly 23% of catches 82% of catches are exported to Spain and Italy Local processors import anchovies from Morocco, Turkey or Argentina

57% of catches commercialised by local traders Sardine 19% exported to Spain and Italy without processing 80% of local catches consumed in France POs carry over 30% of production Local offer complemented by some imports from Morocco and Portugal

57% of catches are commercialised by local traders Hake 38% are exported to Spain and Italy without processing The French market remain the main outlet Local offer complemented by imports from Uruguay, Argentina or Namibia

There are about 10 secondary processing units in the study area and in immediately adjacent areas. Most of these companies use raw material imported from third countries or from the Atlantic regions as local products are too expensive. The main products manufactured in the region are marinated small pelagics (sardine, anchovies), fish soups or value-added meals (brandades, tielles) for the French market. According to costs and earnings data analysed, the total number of


jobs in the sub-sector is around 150 FTE, with a turnover of € 31 / € 33 million and a total value added generated estimated around € 6 million per year. The indicators are stable over the last three years.

The main PO (Sa.Tho.An) was approved in 1992. Three other structures Pêcheries agathoise, La Graulenne and SOCOMAP are member of AMOP, a federation of cooperative that functions as a PO as well. All trawlers in the study area are member of a PO. The main indicators for POs show an increase (turnover of € 24 million, 70 FTEs. However, the value added (€ 2.6 million in 2008) reached a plateau in spite of a 5% increase in turnover. The POs are likely to be impacted by the dramatic decrease of small pelagic landings (2008 to 2010).

Processing companies in area and surounding area

TRENDS

33 40831 511

33 424

7 1325 916 6 303

146

157

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158

Nbr e

mpl

oyes

Turnover (K euros)

Value Added (K euros)

Nbr employes

Figure 12: Main indicators for the Sète secondary processing sector. Source: own survey plus public financial information

Fishtrading companies TRENDS

72 12483 692

80 18886 616

8 59011 86611 30810 585

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Figure 13: Main indicators for the Sète primary processing sub-sector (=fishtrading companies). Source: own survey plus public financial information


Producers Org. & Coop. & Auction halls TRENDS

24 550

23 57224 069

21 014

2 6732 7982 6082 386

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Figure 14: Main indicators for the Sète POs & cooperatives. Source: own survey plus public financial information

The Regional authorities have developed an interesting initiative to support further development of the processing sub-sector. A dedicated area has been reserved to install enterprises specialising in this sub-sector (the SYMRIA pépinière d’entreprises located in Frontignan). The objective is to concentrate the activity in a dedicated area for the private sector to achieve economies of scale and to benefit from specific services and infrastructures put at their disposal by the Region authority (logistic, energy, water and sewage, …).

4.6 Details of the local aquaculture sub-sector 4.6.1 Marine culture – shellfish farming One particularity of the Sète area is the presence of an important inland water area (lagoon) in addition to favourable aquaculture sites in the inshore zone. The Thau lagoon (7,500 ha) is the largest regional lagoon. Shellfish culture started in the beginning of the 20th Century and has now become the single largest area for oyster production. Nowadays, approximately 10% of Japanese oysters (Crassostrea gigas) produced in France originate from the Thau lagoon.

However, the biotic capacity of the Thau lagoon does not allow for further intensification of shellfish aquaculture. In 1976, local entrepreneurs started to grow mussels Mytlilus galloprovincialis on ropes in the inshore area, within 3 miles from the coastline. Three sites are now producing, Les Aresquiers, Marseillan and Fleury Vendres.

The following map shows the distribution of the local shellfish producing units.


Figure 15: Main shellfish production sites in the study area. Source: IFREMER

There is little information on the economics of the sub-sector. However, during a normal year the total production in the Thau area (lagoon and open sea) is 13,970 tonnes of oysters and 9,700 tonnes of mussels (source: professional organisation. The turnover generated is close to € 33.4 million per year (€ 28 million oysters and € 5.4 million mussels), with a value added of € 22.9 million, 69% of turnover. The average first sale price of local oysters is € 2.0 / kg while the average first sale price of local mussels in € 1.10 / kg. Other useful socio-economic information is as follows:

The medium age of owners is 45 years old. Medium age of recruits is 30 years old

10% of owners are women

The number of FTEs generated was 2,079 in 2004, it would have now decreased to 1,000 as a consequence of the difficulties faced by the sub-sector.

The aquaculture sub-sector looses attractiveness: until 2006, there were about 20 creations per year. The number decreases in relation with difficulties (pollution, juvenile mortalities, predation on mussel ropes by sea breams)

The recent evolution of the activity is a concentration of the number of exploitation, witnessing a higher degree of professionalism. The total number of exploitation decreased by 20% in the beginning of the 90’s. The decrease is now around 3.5% per year.

In addition to the production sub-sector, a trading sub-sector specialising on aquaculture products developed. There are 22 such trading companies in the study area with a volume traded equivalent to 16,400 tonnes and a turnover of € 60 million. The main outlet for local aquaculture products are supermarkets. However, small producers developed a strategy of direct sale to consumers on the local and regional markets.

The Sète aquaculture sub-sector is currently facing major problems:


• In addition to structural evolutions of the sub-sector (retirement, cessation of activities), the aquaculture sub-sector is going through a crisis attributable to high levels of pollution in 2006 (which caused high mortalities) and abnormal mortalities of juveniles observed first in 2007 and still ongoing. It is estimated that 80% of young oysters have been lost during 2007 and 2008 springs and during the 2008 summer. These mortalities continued over 2009 but the magnitude of losses is still being assessed. The French Authorities evaluated a loss of income equivalent to € 8.1 million which has been partly covered (€ 2.8 million) using existing instruments for agricultural disasters. The loss of income for 2009 and the level of aids for this year has still to be evaluated.

• Concerning mussel culture on ropes, the development of the sub-sector is hampered by fairly high levels of predation from seabreams. The consequence is that the sub-sector produces only ≈ 3,000 tonnes of mussels per year while the potential is estimated at 8,000 tonnes per year. No viable solutions have been found so far to counter this phenomenon.

4.6.2 Fish aquaculture Created in 1976, the Poissons du Soleil company is the only significant fish aquaculture unit in the region. Initially specialising on grow-out of seabass and seabream, the company progressively diversified on production of juveniles to escape competition from other Mediterranean countries. In addition to juvenile seabass (8 million juveniles per year), the company also produces juvenile seabream Sparus aurata and meagre (Argyrosomus regius). The producing facilities are in the Thau lagoon.

The turnover of the company in 2006 was of € 2.2 million, with 18 FTEs generated.

As concerns aquaculture of bluefin, there are no fattening units in the French Mediterranean. Sète purse seiners deliver their catches to cages located in Spain, in Malta or in Croatia.

4.7 Details of the local ancillary sub-sector There are few shipyards in the study area. Construction and repair of the larger fishing units is usually carried out by shipyards located outside the area like Chantiers Martinez in Saint Cyprien (150 km away from Sète, 35 FTEs, € 1.6 million turnover), in Spain or in Brittany. However, some small companies developped in the region to service the polyvalent small scale fleet and the aquaculture fleet. The following table displays the information collected on these ancillary companies. Total employment is approximately 30 FTE for a turnover of € 2.7 million. For estimation prupose, it will be assumed that 50% of the activity is in the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector, the rest in the recreational and other sub-sectors. Table 12: The Sète ancillary sub-sector. Source: own survey

Companies Recent realisations Key indicators

LittorAL (Marseillan)

Specialist of aluminium with 25% of its activity on the maritime sub-sector

2008 : 22 vessels ≈ 6 - 15m

2009 : 20 vessels ≈ 6 - 15m

15 FTE

Turnover 2009 € 1.2 million

(maritime sector only)

Nouvelle Vague (Marseillan)

GRP (=fiberglass) construction

2009 : 2 vessels ≈ 8 m

and 4 catamarans 13,5 m in construction

6 FTE

Turnover 2009 = € 0.8 million

Chantier Allemand (Grau d’Agde)

GRP Construction, shichandling

ND

4 FTEs

Turnover 2008 = € 0.3 million

Chantier naval Spano et Cie (Grau du Roi)

Wood and GRP construction and repair

ND

6 FTEs

turnover 2009 = € 0.4 million


The 4 catamarans being built by the Nouvelle Vague shipyard in Marseillan have been ordered by one company currently specialising on bluefin tuna. The vessels will be GRP units crewed by 6 seamen and targeting small pelagics with purse seine (including equipment for night fishing = lamparo). Specialisation on small pelagics using small purse seiners is seen by the main operators in the bluefin business as a valuable alternative.

Concerning other upstream economic activities, the following table details the main equipments available for supplying vessels with goods and services. In the major fishing harbours of the region (Sète, Le Grau du Roi or Agde), there are also companies specialised in distribution and maintenance of fishing gears and electronics). Equipment sold is often imported from other region / third countries (for example, tuna purse seines are manufactured in Brittany, electronics imported from Asia). The retailers also provide goods and services to the recreational boating sector.

Table 13: Goods and Services available to the fishing fleet in the study area. Source: CRPMEM

Site Fuel supply Ice making Repair area Shipyards

Fishing harbours with an auction2 postes 2 tours à glace de 12 T/j et 13 T / silo

1 poste 1 tours à glace de 5 T/j et 5 T / silo

1 tours à glace de 2 T/j et 2T / silo gérée par l'OP

1 tours à glace de 46 T/j et 70 T / silo

Mixed fishing / leisure harbours (no aquaculture)

BouziguesAire de carénage Grue de 3T

Mèze nouveau port 1 posteAire de carénage Grue de 4T

Marseillan TabarkaAire de carénage 1000m²Cale de halage

Chantier naval

Valras plage 1 machine à glace

Mixed fishing / aquaculture (possiby also recreational harbours)

Frontignan zone portuaireZone technique avec élévateur de 400T en projet

Mèze Mourre Blanc 1 poste

Marseillan les Mazets 1 machine à glace

Vendres Aire de carénage Chantier naval

1 poste

Palavas 2 machines à glace de 800 kgs/j OK

OK

2 machines à glace 32 T total et 16 T stockage

Non2 Chantiers naval à proximité :Allemand et Michel

1 poste

Le Grau du Roi

Le Grau d'Agde

Sète Môle

Môle St louisCapacité de levage = 230 T (obsolète) ne permet pas de tirer tous les chalutiers

Quelques fournisseurs, mais pasde réelle zone technique multi compétences

1 poste de Sète môleponton en mauvais état


5 Governance 5.1 Key institutions At political level, the key institutions in the Sète area are the Conseil Régional Languedoc Roussillon and the Conseils Généraux of Hérault and Gard. These institutions have influence on the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector through financial aids delivered under the general umbrella of the EFF and the French operational programme.

For fisheries management, the Ministry in charge of the sector has overarching responsibility over the sector. The Ministry ensures that the rules of the CFP are properly implemented in the Mediterranean. Some of these rules originate from two RFMOs : ICCAT which has a management mandate covering large pelagics (tuna, billfish), and the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean with management mandate over shared resources of the Mediterranean including small pelagics and hake of interest for the Sète fishing sector. Local stakeholders can interact with the European institution through the Regional Advisory Council but the Mediterranean RAC has been created only recently (end 2009) and does not have achieve anything meaningful since then.

According to the French governance system, the Conseil Régional des Pêches et des Elevages Marins (CRPMEM) has key responsibility for adopting management and conservation measures in the 12 miles zone. It coordinated the work of the Local Committee of Sète which has jurisdiction over the study area. The CRPMEM can adopt regulations which are translated into law by the representative of the State in the region (the Préfet).

A singularity of governance in the Mediterranean is the existence of Prud’homies. These bodies have been created in 1738 to manage and police fisheries in the Mediterranean. This competency has never been changed since, and has been confirmed in recent major legislative texts (1997 Law). They also have the power to sanction offenders by imposing fines or other types of sanctions (licence suspension). The role of the Prud’homies overlaps clearly with the role of the CRPMEM and its local delegations. However, a modus-operandi has been found. Prud’homies remain a proposition force to the CRPMEM and legal texts are adopted through this body. In fact, elected prud’hommes are also often elected representatives of the Sète area at the CRPMEM. The Prud’homies are close to the fishermen they represent and have a real capacity and the required moral authority to resolve conflicts.

Concerning the aquaculture sub-sector, the Comité National Conchylicole (CNC) and its Mediterranean regional delegation (SRC Méditerranée) is the main representation of the sub-sector. In the study area, the SRC groups professional unions representing each the various type of shellfish production in the region (oysters in the Thau lagoon, mussels on ropes, marketing etc.).

In addition to these bodies, governance of the sector includes also several non-governmental associations (20 and even more) grouping particular interests in a given sector (see section 6 for a census of all these associations).

5.2 Public intervention Public intervention includes support from the European institutions, the French State, Regional Authorities (Region Languedoc Roussillon and Départements of Herault and Gard) and Municipalities.

The Region Languedoc Roussillon (NUTS II) includes four Départements. It has not been possible to identify precisely the beneficiaries of the Region interventions, however:

• As concerns the fishing industry, 70% of the fleet; 80% of seamen and 80% of landings in the region originate from the Sète study area

• As concerns the aquaculture industry, 90% of production originate from the Sète study area


• In terms of population, the study area represents 7.9% of the population of the region (and 8.8% of jobs). The study area represents also 23.1% of the Herault (NUTS III) population and 2.2% of the Gard (NUTS III) population.

It can be therefore asssumed that the Region interventions are proportional to these indicators.

5.2.1 Intervention by Hérault department council (Conseil Général 34) The 2010 provisional budget of Hérault Département is €1.2 billion, including €1.09 billion investments. The share earmarked for the agriculture and maritime economy is 2.5%, i.e. € 27 million. According to the Département 2008 annual report, main interventions for the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector included investments in ports (€9.7 million mostly on Grau d’Agde port) and support to aquaculture and small-scale fishing (€7.2 million, including €1 million as emergency aids for shellfish producers).

5.2.2 Intervention by Gard department council (Conseil Général 30) The 2010 provisional budget of Gard Département is € 865 million. The port of Grau du Roi is the main landing centre. A support equivalent to € 12 million has been earmarked to support port modernisation in conjunction with EFF (mes. 39)

5.2.3 Intervention by Languedoc Roussillon regional council (CRLR) The provisional 2010 budget of the Region is € 1.1 billion including € 912.5 million of investment budget to support the local development plan (PACTE). Support to rural and coastal economy will mobilise an envelope of € 38.2 million. Tourism will receive a support of € 15 million.

According to the Region reports, total investment in the fisheries and aquaculture sub-sector between 2005 and 2010 amounted to € 24.4 million, i.e. ≈ 4.9 million per year (€ 2.7 million for fisheries and € 2.2 million for aquaculture). The following table details the budgets allocated taken into account participation of the State (State-Region contract) and of the European Institutions. Table 14: Summary of support managed by the Region Languedoc Roussillon between 2005 and 2010. data in KEUR. Source: Region LR

Sector Number of project Total costs Region State Europe

Fisheries 241 24 213 7 995 208 1 897

Aquaculture 507 19 701 4 661 449 1 782

Mixed fisheries / aquaculture 58 17 079 11 730 772

Total 806 60 993 24 386 658 4 450

The main interventions include (total costs):

− Support to installation of young fishermen and aquaculture for € 3.8 million − Support ot modernisation of fishing vessels and shore facilities for € 9 million − Port investment for € 15.6 million − Support ot the processing sub-sector for € 13.2 million including support ot the Frontignan

dedicated processing area (€ 3.5 million) − The improvement of the quality of the lagoon waters (€ 8.4 million) focusing on the Thau

lagoon − Emergency aid to shellfish growers in 2008 for € 1.2 million


5.2.4 State-Region development contract (CPER) 2007-2013 The State and the Languedc Roussillon region signed in December 2006 the first development contract (contrat de projet Etat-Région) for the 2007-2013 period. The support of the State to the Regional Council amounts to more than e 1.3 billion, € 495 million borne by the State and € 813 million by the Region. The fishing and aquaculture sub-sectors are considered for a total support of € 7.6 million (State € 2.1 million and Region € 5.5 million).

5.2.5 EU intervention – Opérational Programmes

The region will receive a total support of €541 million through 4 different instruments for the 2007-2013 period. Funding through FEDER and FEADER are the most important sources of regional support. By contrast, the EFF dotation represents a small part of total EU fundings.

2007-2013 programme for Languedoc Roussillon

Table 15: EU funds earmarked for support to the Languedoc Roussillon region

Programmation Fonds UE 2007 - 2013 (Millions d'euros)

Région Languedoc Roussillon

TOTAL 2007 - 2013 541.73 Fond Européen Agri / Dev. Rural (FEADER) 104.71 Fond Social Européen (FSE) 160.4 Fond Européen / Dev Régional (FEDER) 270.42 Fond Européen / Pêche (FEP) 6.2

Commitments for the Sète area Since 2007, FSE and FEDER contributed to support a total of 162 projects in the study area. The details of EFF funding are not known. The decommissioning schemes which will contribute to eliminate overcapacity in the bluefin fishery (purse seiners, thonailleurs) are managed centrally from the Ministry in Paris. Table 16: EU support for the Sète area. Source: Region LR and ASP

Engagements des Fonds UE 2007 - 2010 (Millions d'euros)

dans la zone d'étude - Sète

Nbr projects

Total cost

EU Contribution %

Fond Social Européen (FSE) 64 15.215 6.677 43.88% Fond Européen / Dev Régional (FEDER) 98 58.271 14.247 24.45%

Fond Européen / Pêche (FEP) 82 20.19 3.72 18.42% Axe 1 38 10.16 2.50 24.64% Axe 2 30 9.29 0.94 10.15% Axe 3 14 0.74 0.27 36.80% Axe 4 ND ND ND

5.2.6 The past : FIFG intervention According to the fishsubsidy.org database, total FIFG intervention with beneficiaries in the region (identified as part of NUTS FR813 and fishing vessels registered in Sète) amounted to almost € 19 million between 2002 and 2007 (EU plus Member State contribution).

Concerning non-fleet aids (€ 6 million over 2002-2007), most funding was allocated to modernisation of aquaculture units and port investments. Table 17: FIFG funding (total EU plus Member State) allocated to Languedoc Roussillon between 2002 and 2007, not including support to fishing vessels. Data in EUR. Source: Fishsubsidy.org

scheme_name 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 TOTAL Construction of marketing establishments 338 528 338 528


Increase in processing capacity 211 821 131 533 196 358 539 711 Modernisation of existing aquaculture units 272 299 493 962 543 416 233 183 371 264 143 326 2 057 451 Modernisation of marketing establishments 36 558 36 558 Modernisation of existing port facilities 24 810 858 191 165 000 1 048 001 Modernisation of existing processing units 33 398 22 471 68 107 8 766 20 546 153 288 Operations by members of the trade) 87 004 216 110 89 404 75 624 182 694 650 837 Pilot/demonstration projects 529 795 214 984 744 779 Promotion (campaigns, trade fairs, etc.) 52 670 53 150 77 077 182 897 Protection of aquatic resources 261 834 261 834 Retraining premium (job diversification) 9 920 9 920 Small-scale coastal fishing 25 531 3 799 29 330 TOTAL 1 195 686 1 947 171 1 114 954 370 723 1 256 928 167 672 6 053 133

Fleet aids allocated to vessels registered in Sète totalled € 12.8 million over the 2002-2007 period, with most funds being used for construction of new fishing vessels (tuna purse seiners and trawlers). Scrapping funds have been used mainly for decommissioning trawlers (bottom and midwater trawls). Table 18: FIFG funding (total EU plus Member State) allocated to fishing vessels registered in Sète between 2002 and 2007. Data in EUR. Source: Fishsubsidy.org

scheme_name 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 TOTAL Construction of new vessel 840 790 3 945 987 1 423 187 6 209 964 Transfer to third country 1 722 214 1 722 214 Modernisation of vessels 469 858 481 852 399 900 24 420 206 394 53 355 1 635 779 Scrapping 23 790 2 871 304 289 642 3 184 736 TOTAL 1 310 648 4 427 839 1 846 877 24 420 4 799 912 342 997 12 752 693


6 Stakeholder analysis

Name Position Adresse Web et Mel Tel

PROFESSIONAL PRIVATE GROUPS ORTIN Philippe SRCM - Président Maison de la Mer – Quai Guitard – 34

140 MEZE

[email protected] 04 67 43 90 53 REGLER Denis SRCM - Directeur

COUSIGNE Jean Louis ASA - Président Maison de la Mer – Quai Guitard – 34 140 MEZE

[email protected] 04 67 43 90 53

SACAZE Alain OP Thau - Président Maison de la Mer – Quai Guitard – 34 140 MEZE [email protected] 04 67 18 99 85

ASPA Didier Les 5 ports - Président Maison de la Mer – Quai Guitard – 34 140 MEZE

04 67 43 90 53

CORRE René Coopérative de carburant de l’étang de Thau - Président

Maison de la Mer – Quai Guitard – 34 140 MEZE 04 67 43 24 67

ROUQUETTE Annie CIVAM bassin de Thau - Présidente

Maison des Agriculteurs B Mas de Saporta CS 50023

34 875 Lattes Cedex [email protected] 04 67 92 42 23

VILA Christian SCIC Les Mazets - Président 04 67 48 69 78

MIRETTE Guy Pêcheries Agathoises [email protected] 04 67 21 04 04

D’ACUNTO Pierre Sa.Tho.An. - Président Cap St Louis 3B – 28 promenade JB Marty

34200 Sète


WENDLING bertrand Sa.Tho.An. - Directeur [email protected]

D’ACUNTO Pierre AMOP - Président Maison de la mer – rue des cormorans

34200 Sète

[email protected]

04 67 78 43 16

DESSEIN Aurélie AMOP - Coordinatrice

mailto:[email protected]�









GROS Paul So.Co.Ma.P. - Président 123 Quai Christian Gozioso [email protected] 04 66 51 40 88

HOUNY Michel So.Co.Ma.P. - Directeur

AVERSA Robert La Graulene - Président Quai Christian Gozioso [email protected] 04 66 51 14 14

QUESTROY Marianne La Graulene Directrice

WADOUX Laurent SAEML « criée du pays d’Agde »

Directeur Quai Commandant Meric - 34300 AGD

[email protected]


SCANNAPIECO Raphael Coopérative Achat Chalutier - Président 40 Quai Maximin Licciardi - 34200 SETE 04 67 46 14 12

BERTRET Jean Loup EPR – Port sud de France 1 quai Philippe Régy - B.P. 10853 34201 SETE CEDEX [email protected] 04 67 46 34 04

MANAGEMENT GROUPS SCANNAPIECO Raphaël Prud’homme Sète Môle Quai Maximin Licciardi - 34200 SETE [email protected] 04 67 74 76 14

MORENO Denis Prud’homme Sète Etang (Thau) Maison de la Mer - Quai Guitard - 34140 MEZE 04 67 43 24 67

MORENO Denis CLPMEM Sète Nouvelle Criée Quai M. Licciardi 34200 SETE

04 67 77 25 90 [email protected]

04 67 74 76 14

M.RODRIGUEZ Jimmy Prud’homme Valras 18 rue Amiral de Loria - 34350 VALRAS [email protected] 06 10 44 28 10

MIRETTE Guy Prud’homme Agde Criée aux Poissons Route du Grau - 34300 AGDE [email protected]

04 67 21 04 04

06 10 17 08 87

TIMOTHEE Philippe Prud’homme Palavas 1 avenue de l’abbé Brocardi – Résidence Cazot - 34250 Palavas les Flots

[email protected]

BRIANT Ange Prud’homme Grau du Roi Maison de la Mer – Rue des Lamparos - 30240 LE GRAU DU ROI 04 66 51 40 05

COMBET Michel CLPMEM Grau du Roi - Président Maison de la Mer - Rue des Lamparos 30240 LE GRAU-DU-ROI [email protected] 04 66 53 92 31













VALLEE Raynald DDTM 34 – DML Directeur

16 rue Hoche

34200 Sète


DESFORGES Jean Luc DDTM 34 –DML Action ministérielle et mer [email protected] 04 99 16 21

GRIMAULT Claude DDTM 34 – DML Cultures marines et littoral Claude.grimault@herault;gouv.fr 04 99 02 16 12

GRONZIO Henry CRPMEM - Président Maison de la mer – rue des cormorans 34200 Sète [email protected]

04 67 74 91 97

Guyot Clothilde CRPMEM Coordinatrice

KAHOUL Mourad CCR Méditerranée - Président Via CRPMEM PACA

39, rue de la Loge 13002 MARSEILLE 04 91 56 78 33 [email protected]

FARRUGIO Hernry CGPM – président du Sientific Advisoty Comittee

Ifremer boulevard Jean Monnet 34203 SETE Cedex


DEVELOPPEMENT GROUPS (technical & scientific)

LECORRE Gildas IFREMER Sète – Responsable du Laboratoire de Ressources Halieutiques

Ifremer boulevard Jean Monnet 34203 SETE Cedex


BARRET Jean IFREMER Sète – Laboratoire Environnement Ressources – LR

Suivi qualité des eaux (conchyliculture)


PERNET Fabrice 04 99 57 32 00 [email protected]

AMIEL Claude UM2 SMEL – Directeur pédagogique 1, quai de la Daurade.34200 Sète [email protected] 04 67 74 45 03

04 67 46 33 70

PAUGAM Alain CEPRALMAR - Directeur Stratégie Concept Bât. 1 1300, avenue Albert Einstein 34000 Montpellier


MORENO Denis ADMM - Président Maison de la Mer – Quai Guitard – 34 140 MEZE [email protected]

TUDESQ Michel Lycée de la mer Sète - Directeur rue des cormorans - 34207 Sète CEDEX

[email protected]




mailto:Claude.grimault@herault;gouv.fr�













DEVELOPPEMENT GROUPS (local governments)

LOBBEDEY Stéphane

Conseil Général de l’Hérault

Direction du développement littoral et maritime

Chef du service Gestion des Ports et Développement des Filières Maritimes Hôtel du Département

1000, rue d’Alco 34087 Montpellier Cedex 4


FARENG Raymond

Conseil Général de l’Hérault

Direction du développement littoral et maritime - Service Gestion des Ports et Développement des Filières Maritimes – chargé de mission


TCHAKERIAN Marie

Conseil Régional Languedoc Roussillon

Chef de service - Service du développement des filières agricoles et des produits de la mer. Hôtel de Région

201, avenue de la Pompignane F - 34064 Montpellier cedex 02

[email protected]

QUIDET Christian

Conseil Régional Languedoc Roussillon

Chargé de la mer - Service du développement des filières agricoles et des produits de la mer.


HARDY Luc SMBT - Directeur Route de Sète, Immeuble le Président, BP18 34540 - BALARUC-LES-BAINS 04.67.74.61.60

[email protected]

TAILLADE Jean Jacques SMBT – Chargé du SCOT

OTHER SECTORS

[email protected]

MAIGRE Pierre

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie (CCI) Sète Frontignan Mèze

Directeur de l'appui aux entreprises, Coordinateur local

Commerce – Tourisme - Services 2 quai Philippe Régy 34200 SETE


TREBUQUET Ingrid

Chambre de commerce et d'industrie (CCI) Sète Frontignan Mèze

Création –Transmission d’entreprises











AUGE Bernard Vignerons coopérateurs de l’Hérault Rond-Point de la Vierge Maurin BP 20006 34871 LATTES CEDEX

04 67 07 03 20 www.vignerons.com

TASTAVY Jean-Charles

Syndicat des vignerons indépendants

de l’Hérault - Président 1 avenue du Président-Wilson

34500 Béziers

www.vigneron-independant.com 04 67 09 28 80

[email protected] CAUQUIL Luc

Syndicat des vignerons indépendants

de l’Hérault - Directeur

GOURDON Laurent Chambre d’agriculture de l’Hérault

Chef de service Viticulture

Maison des agriculteurs - Mas de Saporta Bâtiment A - CS 10010

34875 LATTES Cedex

04 67 20 88 00

04 67 20 88 32

SCHMID Pascal

Comité Départemental du Tourisme de l'Hérault

ADT – Hérault tourisme

Directeur Général

Maison du Tourisme – Avenue des Moulins

34184 Montpellier cedex 4

www.herault-tourisme.com 04 67 67 71 71

[email protected] 04 67 67 71 01 (dir)

VARRAUD Emilie

Association pour le Bassin de Thau

Coordinatrice Parc Technologique et Environnemental · Route des Salins · 34140 Mèze

[email protected]

CPIE pour le Bassin de Thau

Directrice 04 67 89 47 60

http://www.vignerons.com/�

http://www.vigneron-independant.com/�


http://www.herault-tourisme.com/�




7 Qualitative interpretation and analysis

7.1 Key events and drivers for trends From general perspective, the increase of the local population underpinned by influx of outsiders from other regions to settle predominantly near the coast as been a major driver for change. The immediate impacts were the urbanisation of the coast and an increasing cost of land and real estate, coupled with additional pressure on the natural environment (water usage, pollution, alteration of the coast). The immigration flow into the region has had impacts on employment with higher pressure on the workforce and an increased unemployment rate, compounded by the loss of employment opportunities in the wine sector.

From an economic perspective, the increase in the local population led to a multiplication of small enterprises to form an unstructured and uncoordinated network, as there are no large industries in the region to absorb the additional manpower. The enterprise creation rate in the Sète area is higher than the National average (13.9% as opposed to 11%), but also with a higher cessation rate than the National average. The development of tourism supported the development of a large service industry.

Concerning the fishing industry, the main drivers for change are the condition of the resource (local stocks in an overexploitation situation more or less marked according to stocks) and the increase in fuel prices. This had had impacts on the bluefin tuna sub-sector (industrial and artisanal) and on the local trawler fleet which remains the backbone of the local fishing industry due to the quality and the regularity of its landings. These two major drivers requested a need for adaptation to improve the management framework of the local fisheries and to improve the profitability of the trawl sub-sector (fuel efficiency, ex-vessel prices). The small-scale sector (petits metiers) also needed rationalisation. Used as job-seekers as a source of income, the small-scale sector has been operating on an informal mode for some years, looking more as an addition of individual activities than a coordinated fisheries. Increased pressure from the Administration to comply with the economic, social and environmental regulations supported the professionalisation of the small scale fleet, with improved working and marketing conditions.

As far as the aquaculture sub-sector is concerned, shellfish culture has been one of the major reconversion sector for former employees in the wine sector. The number of producing enterprises proliferated, resulting in a highly atomised sector with little coherence. The increase pressure on the lagoon led also to develop aquaculture production in the coastal zone. This contributed to increase interactions between users of the coastal area with conflicts between small-scale fishermen, aquaculture operators and the industrial (trawling) fleet, not mentioning interactions with tourism and with the offshore energy sector.

7.2 Adaptation The Regional authorities developed several policy initiatives to adapt. The increase in local population is being dealt with by increasing the accessibility of the countryside (roads, access to service) to decrease the urban pressure on the coastline. The increased anthropic pressure on the natural environment triggered the adoption of management plans associating users (syndicats mixtes) to protect the inland and lagoon water bodies (water and pollution management plans). One of these management plans concern the Thau lagoon. At economic level, the region developed specific training schemes for the workforce, supported the creation of innovation excellence centres associating the local universities and the various research institutes (IFREMER, IRD, CIRAD) present in the region, and created specific support scheme for new entrepreneurs (including in the fishing sector). The tourism sector is particularly supported through improvement


of the quality of labour and promotion of the quality of the tourism on offer (creation of labels, promotion), while promoting synergies with other sector (wine sector, fishing and aquaculture sub-sector). The region also invested in logistics (airports, railways, highways and ports) to secure the competitiveness of the local industries and to try to attract new industrial investments.

Concerning the fishing industry, adaptation focused on the diversification away from the bluefin sub-sector. The local community supported reconversion of artisanal bluefin fishermen using driftnets (thonaille) on other fishing technique, and creation of a new type of fishing vessels (13 m catamaran) for exploitation of the small pelagic resources. This new fleet segment provides diversification opportunities for the bluefin purse seining segment. Research projects were also started to increase the economic and environmental efficiency of the trawl sub-sector (improvement of fishing gear, fuel efficiency) and explore alternative fishing techniques (cephalopods jigging, crustaceans pots). The stakeholders also addressed the weaknesses of the commercialisation sub-sector (little value added, poor connection with the catching sub-sector, atomised network of enterprises). Initiatives include the promotion of a collective brand (Sud de France) with synergies with the local agriculture sector, the creation of intersectoral bodies, the rationalisation of the current network of POs and cooperatives, and the promotion of processing for creation of value-added through the setting up of an excellence centre grouping local enterprises (pépinière d’entreprise SYMRIA in Frontignan). Management of resources is also on the local agenda. The stakeholders participate in the formulation of management plans (required by GCFM and Reg (EC) 1967/2006) including revision of the local management rules (licensing, regulation of fishing effort). Better functioning of the Mediterranean RAC is also seen as a priority.

Concerning the aquaculture sub-sector, the local authorities support the development of shellfish culture in the coastal zone, away from the Thau lagoon, and better management of the risks associated with pollution. The region also support an improved structuration of the profession (creation of representative professional associations, improved interface between producers and the markets), as well as the diversification of producers on trade to counter the decreasing trends in local production.

7.3 Future developments of the Community The future developments of the Community are expected to follow the objectives set by the current development policies. The fishing and aquaculture sub-sectors are expected to be more professional and structured (the sector is currently seen mostly as an addition of individual initiatives with little coherence and a weak organisation), including a better commercialisation interface and increased synergies with other local productions. The local fishing and aquaculture community met in 2006 to prepare the adaptation plan presented above (assises régionales 2006) and met again in 2009 to follow up the developments. Organisation of a new intersectoral meeting is scheduled to take place in 2012 to monitor progresses and adapt if necessary. This may prove necessary as two new drivers for change, not previously accounted for, appeared in the last couple of years: the drop in abundance of small pelagics which questions the relevance of diversification effort on this resource, and the abnormal mortalities on juveniles shellfish which put at stake the profitability of the sector and compromises the setting up of a strong inter-professional sector.

7.4 The role of public intervention

As presented above, public intervention in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors has been important, in excess of € 70 mln (total costs) over the 2002-2009. Although the details of public funding on a project basis are not available, the following sections provide some qualitative consideration on the efficiency of support granted.


Support to installation of young fishermen and aquaculture operators (€ 3.8 mln): Support to installation (capital grants & loans), training and modernisation of production units represented 288 projects. This type of support also supported the reconversion of small scale fleets targeting bluefin (thonailleurs) as well as installation of young crew who previously worked on bluefin purse seiners. Globally, this support scheme supported the professionalisation of the sector, and is qualitatively assessed as efficient.

Support to modernisation of fishing vessels and shore facilities (€ 9 mln). The fleet aids have supported construction of new vessels, and decommissioning of other vessels. The bluefin tuna sector absorbed the majority of funding available, with overall fairly poor efficiency. The bluefin fleet is in a clear overcapacity situation, and public funding has now to be employed to decommission recently built tuna vessels. Some funding has also been utilised for the trawl fleet, with building of new units and decommissioning of older units. This support has been engaged when most trawlers targeted the small pelagic resource assumed to be within safe biological limits. However, the low catches of sardine and anchovy experienced over the last two years and the loophole in the trawl management licensing scheme (trawlers can target demersal or pelagic with a same licence) cast doubts on the efficiency of the support strategy. Investment in shore facilities appears to be far more efficient. Support to modernisation of auction and services to the small scale fleet in secondary ports (cold stores, ice making plants, refuelling installations) supported the development of the fleet, providing economies of scale and better conservation and marketing of fisheries products landed.

The support to the processing sub-sector for € 13.2 mln is regarded as efficient. Most catches originating from the local fleets were sold unprocessed, therefore generating few value-added for the local economy. Public support targeted primary processing units (mareyage) with improved conditions for concentrating the raw material available and preparing it as per market demand (fillets, loins, other preparations). The secondary processing sector remains poorly developed, but the region recently invested in a site dedicated to fish processing activities, with ambition to attract promoters of new business development (€ 3.5 mln). The initiative is recent, so its efficiency cannot be assessed. However, on the principle itself, this type of support can be considered as efficient as it underpins creation of local value-added and employment.

Port investment (€ 15.6 mln) represents a large chunck of public support. Overall, these investments contributed to improve the logistic, with better integration between the different transport modes (road, train , maritime). The investments contributed also to make the secondary harbours more attractive to fishermen and aquaculture producers. These investments have been realised under the framework of a regional port development plan that takes into account other users of local ports (tourism, recreational boating, commerce, ferry boats), and not considering the fishing and aquaculture sector in isolation from the other sectord. These investments can be regarded as efficient.

Improvement of the quality of the lagoon waters (€ 8.4 mln). The quality of the waters of the Thau lagoon is pivotal for the local aquaculture industry. As a result of the increasing population, pollution risks increased. The region supported research, water quality monitoring schemes and implementation of specific framework for management of the various economic activities having an impact on the lagoon waters (contrats d’étang : a binding management scheme involving the local authorities of the catchment basin, the private operators and the administration with a 5 year duration). These investments are considered as efficient.

Overall, the public support granted contributed to improve the business conditions of the fishing and aquaculture industries and better integration with other maritime activities. The public schemes have been adopted using a wide concertation of the stakeholders (assises régionales, harbour development plan). Utilisation of support to fleets appears to be less efficient, with direct contribution to an increase to some fleet segment capacities, that have now to be reduced given the (foreseeable) decrease of fishing opportunities.


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Syndicat Mixte du Bassin de Thau - Restitution des résultats du RSL 2008, pour le bassin versant de l’étang Thau. – nov 2009

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assessment of the status, development and diversification ... · mrag consortium: socioeconomic...

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