Fishing around Pornic

Whether you’re a lover of seafood, the fauna of our coasts or simply curious, fishing on foot is one of the must-do activities on a seaside vacation, and particularly close to La Guichardière campsite… this activity is accessible to all, but you do need to know a few rules.

In the Loire Atlantique region, our coasts are renowned for being full of surprises hidden under the sand or between the rocks… The Côte de Jade stretches from Saint-Brévin-les-pins to Moutiers en Retz, where you’ll find oysters, mussels, clams, cockles and periwinkles, depending on the area and the beach. Fishing on foot is easy to do with the whole family, and attracts enthusiasts of all ages! It’s a mix of walking and exploring, digging and grating, and… finding wonders for dinner (or just for an aperitif, depending on what you find)! It’s a year-round activity at low tide(even richer during high tides, when the coefficient exceeds 95). The highest coefficients are seen in spring and autumn, when the sea retreats far out onto the foreshore, giving anglers access to areas that are rarely uncovered. Ideally, you should arrive around 1h/1h30 before low tide, so you can enjoy a good 2 hours of fishing.

The Jade coast is rich in shellfish: Cockles, clams and razor clams are the most coveted shellfish for shore fishermen. You’ll also find pretty little periwinkles for aperitifs, mussels and wild oysters, limpets galore, as well as grey and pink shrimps (called boucots in the region).

Fishermen usually keep their favourite spots secret, but in front of your Flower Camping la Guichardière, all you have to do is stoop down! The first fishing beaches are just 400m from the campsite: Plage de Mouton (oysters, periwinkles, etc.), followed by Plage de Port Giraud (mussels) and Plage du Cormier (cockles), as well as the beaches of Saint Michel Chef. On the other side, you’ll find periwinkles and curlers hidden under the seaweed at La Prée, and you can also poke around the rocks at Pointe Saint Gildas in Préfailles. A little further afield, in Pornic: the Fontaine aux Bretons beach and the Boutinardière beach (clams, shrimps), the Pointe de Gourmalon and between the Montbeau and Grandes Vallées beaches. At La Bernerie en Retz, you can fill your basket with oysters and clams at the Grande Plage.

You’ll need shoes that don’t fear seawater or rocks, boots that hold your feet firmly (so they don’t get stuck in the mud) or beach shoes (like neoprene slippers), but an old pair of sneakers will do just as well! In summer, don’t forget suncream, a cap and a bottle of water, as you’ll soon forget about the sun beating down on your feet in the water. When it comes to tools, you don’t need much: a claw or small rake, a knife, a landing net and, of course, a basket or bucket to carry your treasure back!

You don’t need a permit or special authorization, but be careful about the size of the shellfish you collect, as there are rules to be respected (size, quantity, season, etc.) to ensure that each shellfish can reproduce. Please note, however, that the maximum quantity of shellfish allowed is 5 kg per fisherman per trip, all species included. Foot fishing is prohibited within 25 meters of marine culture concessions (oyster beds, bouchots, etc.).

For health reasons, certain beaches may be subject to a temporary or permanent ban, indicated by a sign.

Respect the marine environment: return overturned pebbles to their original position, fill in holes, use authorized fishing tools to avoid damaging the marine environment. The foreshore is home to a rich but fragile ecosystem, and you should be aware that some areas may be temporarily off-limits for health reasons.

+ More information on the website of the Association des pêcheurs à pied de la côte de Jade (APPCJ): www.appcj.fr