Fish habitat is legally protected, notably under the Regulation respecting wildlife habitats. Once protected by this regulation, no activity that would alter a biological, physical or chemical element specific to that wildlife habitat
(in French only) can take place there without obtaining the required authorizations. Lakes, rivers, marshes and swamps can be protected up to the natural high-water mark.
As an responsible angler, you are therefore responsible for leaving your fishing site in exactly the same condition as you found it.
In real terms, this means that, for all bodies of water (including marshland, flood plains and swamps), you must not:
- drive a motor vehicle on the coast;
- dump oil, gasoline or other waste or toxic substance;
- build a dam that, in addition to preventing the free circulation of fish, alters its habitat;
- remove or deposit gravel or rocks at the bottom of the body of water.
If you witness any of these actions, you must report them to a wildlife protection officer by contacting SOS Poaching
.