REPORT TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
Paris, October 3, 1924

Mr. President,

The decree of March 25, 1923, which amended Article 4 of the decree of May 10, 1962, provided that restrictions could be imposed, by decree, on the use of nets, gear and instruments intended for special fishing, with regard to distance and time, in order to protect immature sedentary species from their destructive action, when these young fish are particularly abundant at specific points on our coasts.
An application of this text was requested by the administrator of maritime registration in Douarnenez, regarding fishing with "shrimp trawls" and "sand eel seines" in Douarnenez Bay.
This administrator has been able to observe, for several years now, that fishermen practicing these two types of fishing are committing real abuses that, if not remedied, could harm the population and conservation of the seabed and coastal fish fauna in Douarnenez Bay; they, in fact, drag their nets close to the coast and catch, at the same time as the small species for which their gear is suitable, young immature fish, causing their premature destruction without benefit to anyone. A good number of fishermen, concerned about the real interests of fishing, have, moreover, repeatedly spoken out against such particularly harmful acts in a fairly closed bay, such as Douarnenez Bay.
The investigations carried out by the local maritime authorities have shown that the real measure to be taken, in this circumstance, was the removal of the gear in question from Douarnenez Bay; It has, however, been recognized, with regard specifically to the "sand eel seine", that it could, exceptionally, be authorized during the period between January 1 and March 31 of each year, the "sand eel" constituting the best bait for boats engaged, during this period, in longline fishing.
I have, consequently, prepared the attached draft decree, which I have the honor of submitting to your high approval.
Please accept, Mr. President, the homage of my deepest respect.

The Minister of Public Works.
VICTOR PEYTRAL.

The President of the French Republic, On the report of the Minister of Public Works,
Having regard to the law of January 9, 1852, on coastal maritime fishing;
Having regard to the decree of July 4, 1853, regulating coastal maritime fishing in the 2nd maritime district;
Having regard to the decree of 10 May 1862 on coastal maritime fishing, in particular its article 4, amended by the decree of 25 March 1923,
Decrees:
Art. 1. The use of shrimp trawls is prohibited at all times in the bay of Douarnenez.
Art. 2. Fishing for "sand eels", using the "sand eel seine" is only authorized in the same bay during the period between 1 January and 31 March of each year.
Art. 3. The Minister of Public Works
is responsible for the execution of this decree, which will be inserted in the Bulletin of Laws and published in the Official Journal.

Done in Paris, 3 October 1924.
GASTON DOUMERGUE.

By the President of the Republic: The Minister of Public Works,
VICTOR PEYTRAL.