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Since February 12, 2026, all recreational sea anglers have had to deal with RecFishing, a European application now active in France. Behind the digital tool lies a precise regulatory framework, target species and an organization to be adapted before even casting off.
Annual registration by seafront
In the Atlantic and English Channel, anglers aged 16 and over must register every year if they are looking for so-called sensitive species. In the Mediterranean, registration is compulsory for all recreational anglers aged 16 and over, regardless of the species targeted, except when fishing on foot. In the French overseas departments, there is no obligation at this stage.
For yachtsmen who go out on semi-rigid boats, fishing trips or even leave a machine gun behind their sailboat, this means anticipating their season. Registration (free of charge) is valid for 12 months. It can be done in advance, in the quiet of the harbor. And that's preferable. The first connection requires the creation of a secure identifier via the European EU Login system, with validation by smartphone.
Advantage: European data harmonization and a common framework. Disadvantage: a procedure that will be deemed complex by some users unfamiliar with digital procedures.
Which species to declare in 2026
RecFishing does not cover all catches. Only certain species subject to management measures are covered. In the Atlantic and English Channel, sea bass, pollack, pink paddlefish and bluefin tuna are covered. In the Mediterranean, pink paddlefish, dolphinfish and bluefin tuna are concerned.
In other words, an outing targeting bass with a soft lure on a rock head or pollack drifting on a wreck requires a declaration, the same day in the event of a catch.
This obligation also applies to released fish. No-kill fishing does not exempt you from making a declaration. You must indicate the species, size, quantity, technique used and catch area. Will anglers accept this new constraint? For regular anglers, it means measuring each catch precisely.
Same-day declaration, on-board organization
The declaration must be made before midnight on the day of capture. The application works like a fishing session, triggered by a timer. It is possible to enter the start time afterwards, but the principle remains one of declaration associated with an identified trip.
The data requested is precise: geolocation or point on a map, species, size, number, gear used, fishing method from a vessel or from the shore.
For the angler on board, this requires a charged smartphone, waterproof or protected in a case... and a minimum of network coverage. In the absence of an active GPS, the area can be selected manually on the integrated map.
Advantage: clear, centralized traceability. Disadvantage: an additional burden when returning to port, when you'd rather rinse the deck and clean the cockpit than fill in a digital form.
In the Mediterranean, in certain marine parks where a specific declaration system is already in place, no double entry is required. The existing tool continues to be used locally.
A European rationale and inventory management challenges
RecFishing is part of the European regulation 2023/2842. The stated aim is to improve knowledge of recreational fishing catches and refine stock assessment.
The data collected is intended to feed scientific work and guide management decisions, such as quotas, closed seasons and minimum sizes.
For professionals in the nautical sector, marinas, fishing tackle retailers and sea-fishing schools, this evolution is structuring the practice in the long term. It reinforces the integration of recreational fishing into the overall fisheries policy.
There remains the question of how it will be adopted in the field. Between regulatory requirements, application ergonomics and the reality of a sea outing in rough seas, the balance will be closely observed in 2026.
And on the bridge, one thing never changes: before you can declare, you still have to find the fish.
