France’s second Lecornu administration has appointed ministers, with Monique Barbut and Minister for Ecological Transition, and the susprise appointment of Catherine Chabaud as Minister Delegate for the Sea and Fisheries.
‘We hope that the ministers will be able to reassure all stakeholders in the fisheries sector by demonstrating a sincere desire to defend us,’ said Yannick Calvez, President of CDPMEM 29 and Vice-President of CRPMEM Bretagne, the Finistère and Brittany fisheries committees.
CRPMEM Bretagne states that it welcomes a semblance of political stability – although these appointments raise both questions and concerns within the fishing industry. This change comes as the fishing sector faces what is described as ‘increasingly restrictive maritime planning (marine energy, Brexit, etc.) and rampant demands regarding environmental transition, with decisive deadlines are looming, starting with the discussions on quotas in Brussels, particularly regarding mackerel.’
‘There are many areas of concern, and they must be addressed. There are also real opportunities for development. They must be encouraged and supported. Industry expectations have rarely been so high,’ said Serge Le Franc, Vice-President of Lorient fisheries committee CDPMEM 56.
The new Minister for the Sea and Fisheries has a background in journalism and as a the first woman to sail non-stop around the world, during the 1997 Vendée Globe. She entered politics in 2010 and was an MEP from 2019 to 2024.
‘We hope to see confirmed the positive direction reached with the former minister, Agnès Pannier Runacher and we would like to thank her for her commitment to the industry,’ commented Gregory Métayer, President of Côtes d’Armor committee CDPMEM 22.
‘We are ready to work closely with the new government to support fishermen in their ongoing efforts to pursue sustainable fishing activities that provice food at local and and national level,’ added Philippe Orveillon, President of Ille-et-Vilaine committee CDPMEM 35.
