What can you fish for?

Scallops, Venus clams, clams, mussels, cockles, oysters, razor clams, brown shrimps, prawns, velvet crabs, spider crabs, rock crabs. The following rules must be respected: Catch limit: 5 kg/person/day Do not turn stones over Leave female crustaceans with eggs Fishing is prohibited in oyster beds and within 25 m of them Fishing is permitted from sunrise to sunset The product of recreational fishing may not be sold Respect fishing zones, minimum sizes and catch limits per person per day. To ensure that you are respecting the minimum size, pick up a shore fishing ruler from one of our tourist offices.

What actions must be taken to respect nature?

How to respect ecosystems Remember to return any stones you have turned over to their original position Cut seaweed rather than pulling it up Avoid digging large holes or trenches. If you dig a hole or a trench, always fill it back in once you have finished When shore fishing, try looking for the visual marks left on the surface by shellfish living in the sand. How to respect marine life Release soft-shelled crabs so that they have time to grow fully Leave egg-bearing females alone Fish products do not stay fresh for long. To avoid waste, fish according to your daily needs and within the 5 kg/day/person limit.

Île de Ré fishing areas

Shore fishing is authorised in the public maritime domain, except in the following areas: In all ports on Île de Ré and within a 100 m radius In the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve On Plage Nord in Rivedoux-Plage, between the harbour jetty and the Île de Ré bridge In oyster beds and within 25 m of them In fish locks, on their walls and within 25 m of them.

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Vue Aerienne Littoral Estran Petit Bec Les Portes En Re Edouard Salmon Skystudio
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Edouard Salmon Skystudio

The foreshore, the unsuspected treasure of the tides

A rich and surprising coastline

A rich, surprising coastline

A foreshore is the strip of coastline, which is uncovered at low tide. A universe in its own right, a foreshore is a veritable nature reserve, teeming with a surprising amount of life. On Île de Ré, this natural phenomenon takes on a special dimension, offering the experience to explore and discover the heart of the marine ecosystem.

Discover the surprising ecosystem of the marine coastline

The foreshore of Île de Ré is ever-changing, sculpted by the tides that reveal its treasures at low tide and cover them up again at high tide. At low tide, a vast expanse of sand, rocks and mudflats is visible, becoming a unique playground for explorers in search of new discoveries. At high tide, the foreshore is transformed into a submerged world, where marine life takes over again, creating a dynamic, fascinating ecosystem.

Beneath its sometimes austere exterior, the unsuspected biological wealth of Île de Ré is teeming with life. The rocks are home to a multitude of marine creatures, from sea anemones and starfish to crabs and molluscs. The mudflats contain many organisms, including marine worms and shellfish, essential to the ecological balance of the foreshore.

The island’s foreshore is a fragile ecosystem, subject to human pressure and environmental change. It is, therefore, essential that we preserve it as we explore. Numerous guided visits are organised throughout the year to learn about and understand this natural environment, which is so vital for many species.

The hidden treasures of the foreshore

At high tide, the ocean crashes onto the beaches of Île de Ré, covering the rocks and sandbanks in a blanket of foam. This is the time for surfers and water sports enthusiasts to enjoy the waves, while those on the beach contemplate the hypnotic spectacle of the sea in motion.

At low tide, the ocean retreats, revealing the secrets of the foreshore. A vast expanse of sand, rocks and mudflats is revealed, offering visitors the chance to explore this unique ecosystem and discover its hidden treasures. This is when shore fishing becomes a popular activity, allowing enthusiasts to look for shellfish, crustaceans and seaweed while enjoying the richness of marine life and respecting conservation guidelines.

Shore fishing is an activity that is accessible to all. Mussels and clams lurk in the cracks of the rocks, while crabs and prawns skilfully thread their way through the seaweed. Shore fishing must be practised responsibly and with care for the environment. It is essential to observe the catch limits defined, to avoid disturbing fragile ecosystems, and to leave fishing areas exactly as you found them.

Did you know?

Tides are much more than a natural phenomenon on Île de Ré: they are the beating heart of its coastal environment, shaping its landscape and merging with the lives of its inhabitants.

By understanding and appreciating the impact of the tides, we can better connect with the nature that surrounds us. Fishing on Île de Ré is more than a leisure activity: it is a real link between people and the ocean, a way of connecting with the island’s wilderness and contemplating its marine treasures.

Shore fishing essential information

What can you fish for?
Scallops, Venus clams, clams, mussels, cockles, oysters, razor clams, brown shrimps, prawns, velvet crabs, spider crabs, rock crabs.
The following rules must be respected:
- Catch limit: 5 kg/person/day
- Do not turn stones over
- Leave female crustaceans with eggs
- Fishing is prohibited in oyster beds and within 25 m of them
- Fishing is permitted from sunrise to sunset
- The product of recreational fishing may not be sold
- Respect fishing zones, minimum sizes and catch limits per person per day. To ensure that you are respecting the minimum size, pick up a shore fishing ruler from one of our tourist offices.
What actions must be taken to respect nature?
How to respect ecosystems
- Remember to return any stones you have turned over to their original position
- Cut seaweed rather than pulling it up
- Avoid digging large holes or trenches. If you dig a hole or a trench, always fill it back in once you have finished
- When shore fishing, try looking for the visual marks left on the surface by shellfish living in the sand.
How to respect marine life
- Release soft-shelled crabs so that they have time to grow fully
- Leave egg-bearing females alone
- Fish products do not stay fresh for long. To avoid waste, fish according to your daily needs and within the 5 kg/day/person limit.
Île de Ré fishing areas
Shore fishing is authorised in the public maritime domain, except in the following areas:
- In all ports on Île de Ré and within a 100 m radius
- In the Lilleau des Niges nature reserve
- On Plage Nord in Rivedoux-Plage, between the harbour jetty and the Île de Ré bridge
- In oyster beds and within 25 m of them
- In fish locks, on their walls and within 25 m of them.

Precautions to take

Check tide times
If you’re fishing alone, tell someone where you are and take a mobile phone
Never go out in foggy conditions
Always carry a compass in case the weather changes suddenly and fog appears
Protect yourself from the elements by wearing sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat and boots.

Ecogardes – Communauté des Communes:
05 46 09 00 97 – 06 48 71 25 95
Maritime Affairs: 05 46 28 07 07
Rural and Maritime Fishing Code: legifrance.gouv.fr

Fishermen… Respect the foreshore (in french)

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