Fishing
If fishing is an art, it is also a science. It is important to have some knowledge about aquatic prey, especially if you have promised your partner to bring home a big catch tonight. Which fish to entice with the hook in Marseille and during which period? But also, where should you avoid fishing in Marseille?
WHERE TO FISH IN MARSEILLE?
The harbor of Marseille offers a wide range of small spots to cast your hook: ports (Vallon des Auffes, Port des Goudes…), beaches for surfcasting (the technique of "casting into the wave"), etc. The calanques provide a pleasant atmosphere, but being classified as a natural park, the regulations are strict (see the next paragraph). You can also fish in Frioul by taking the shuttle from the Old Port.
WHERE NOT TO FISH IN MARSEILLE?
Part of the Calanques: …
… Regulation: Fishing is allowed in 90% of the Calanques. The remaining 10% is part of the No-Take Zone. Out of the 43,500 hectares of marine park, fishing is prohibited on 4,634 hectares. For the coastal areas, 10 signs are installed (Riou, Devenson, Cacau, Soubeyranes, Sormiou). Buoy markings have been placed at sea (Cap Soubeyran, Cacau, Sormiou). Limitations for some areas could not be indicated for technical or regulatory reasons. It is also prohibited to organize "recreational fishing competitions." While "feeding marine fauna from a vessel" is prohibited, doing so for fishing bait is allowed.
Pollution: For about fifty years, the Altéo factory has been authorized to discharge its toxic residues (arsenic, uranium 238, mercury, lead, and more) into the heart of the Calanques. These residues inevitably end up in the marine food chain.
At the Old Port:
In 2015, the Sea Shepherd's Mare Nostrum operation revealed that "there must be at least two meters of waste layered on top of each other as far as the eye can see." In short, do not fish in the Old Port…
WHAT FISH TO CATCH IN THE MEDITERRANEAN?
There is a diverse fleet of fish species in the Mediterranean Sea! Girelles are found everywhere in the Mediterranean. They are especially present in the famous bouillabaisse! They are caught between spring and summer with a rod or girelier, especially on rocky bottoms or seagrass beds at depths of 0 to 60 meters. They are caught all year round, but in winter and spring, it is better to fish at a minimum depth of 7/8 meters for better results. There are many species belonging to the group of girelles, such as the female peacock wrasse, one of the most colorful fish in the Mediterranean.
The gilt-head bream is recognized by its silvery color and the golden band that runs across its forehead. The Sparidae regularly reaches 50 cm and 2 kg. It can grow up to 70 cm and weigh 6 kg. Despite its size, it is not easy to find. The best time to catch it is in the summer.
The scorpionfish also refers to a group of several species. These are usually bottom-dwelling fish that blend very well into their natural surroundings. The scorpionfish is also one of the ingredients in bouillabaisse. It is caught with bait but also in rock fishing from the shore, in rockfishing, etc. Be cautious; it has spiny fins and can be venomous (like the flying scorpionfish).
The common sea bream: no, it is not the male sardine! A fish from the sea or brackish water, it is silvery and marked with black lines.
Regulations: To learn everything about the regulations for fishing in the Mediterranean, click here to visit the dedicated page of DIRM Mediterranean.
WHEN TO FISH?
Seasonal fluctuations and daily events play a role for fishermen. Tides have an impact on the abundance of fish near the coasts, but they are relatively negligible in the Mediterranean. The climate pushes or attracts fish to depths that provide them with an optimal temperature. Seasons, on the other hand, see species migrate, spawn, etc.
The fishery calendar:
| Winter | Spring | Summer | Fall |
| Cod | Cod | Cod | |
| Turbot | Turbot | Turbot | |
| Red Mullet | Red Mullet | Red Mullet | Red Mullet |
| Anchovy | Anchovy | ||
| Sardine | Sardine | ||
| Sea Bass | Sea Bass | Sea Bass |