At the call of Sea Shepherd, around twenty people denounced the installation of a floating dam at Barcarès and Leucate, on the Salses Leucate pond. “Every winter, the prefectures of Aude and Pyrénées-Orientales authorize (their) relocation, preventing the migration of thousands of fish towards the sea,” says the NGO. These grids impact a fragile and protected ecosystem. Many species try to leave the pond to reproduce, and find themselves trapped. » These dams allow fishermen to sell their fish during the end of the year.
The NGO denounces the illegality of the process and the criminal practices, while the pond is classified as Natura 2000. “The very existence of the two dams has given rise to a very lucrative black market,” believes Sea Shepherd. Many individuals group together to fish for trapped fish like in an aquarium, using illegal techniques. A scandalous and unreal spectacle which leaves one wondering as it is carried out in full view of all.”
“The practice will be banned from 2024”
According to the NGO, a hearing before the administrative court was canceled. Contacted by Actu.fr, the Pyrénées-Orientales prefecture specifies that the practice is on hold. “As the interruption of the movement of fish over the entire width is prohibited under current European regulations, the State has initiated consultation with the stakeholders concerned in order to put an end to it (…) It has been approved for 2024 “.