“There’s a fire at sea!” “, Shouts Ludo Garrec, 44, from the cockpit of the Bolincheur Stereden Ar Moor. The eyes riveted on his Sonar, the boss of the ship has just spotted a sardine bench. Immediately, the sailors put on their waves and come out prepare to launch the net in the water. In starboard, another bolin trap (or sardinier) has already surrounded the fish with its Senne.
The night has just come across a calm sea, off the Pointe Saint-Mathieu, in Plougonvelin (29), where a dozen ships “hunt” the small fish prized by Breton cans. On this July evening, the Stereden sailed for two and a half hours to rally the pavement of the black stones, where sardine is larger and more abundant than usual. “It is, frankly, ten years, even twelve years, that we have not seen so big,” calculates Ludo, who has been fishing for sardine since 2010. “So that is fun after the difficult years that we had. »»
The size of sardine has, in fact, reduced by 50 % in fifteen years, at equal age, undoubtedly under the effect of global warming, according to Ifremer. A problem of size and abundance that has been problematic for Breton cans in recent years.
“Electric” sardine
Upon his arrival on the fishing area, Ludo sees the prey on his screen. But “She is not fishable, she is too electric,” he said. The fish does not hold, it goes in all directions ”. Ear buckle and “BZH” T-shirt, the fishing boss says “to love” this job, more stimulating than beach fishing. “You go hunting sardine, what, you will try to find it, to fish it. It’s not the same motivation at all, ”he says.
A few minutes pass and the bench is denser. A red light has invaded the bridge where sailors are waiting to take action. “Let go!” », Howls Ludo to Léo Beriet, a 25 -year -old sailor, who unwinds a rope holding the Senne.
The long net of 350 meters, mounted on floats, takes place at full speed to surround the fish bench, before being closed from below to form a pocket. The sailors then pull on the Senne to shrink the pocket and bring it back along the boat. Woods of water fall on the crew when Ludo empties the pocket using a large landing net (the Salabarde) mounted on a crane, which pours the sardines in the tanks of the boat.
“Do you see it, the seagull?” Do you see it or not? ! “, He launches to Dominique Palut, 57, who catches the bird caught in the landing net and sends him to join the dozens of gulls who surround the boat.
“Free on water”
The first thread is a success, with almost six tonnes of fish raised before midnight. The second blow will be less successful. “Ah, la la, shit, I died, I should have taken my time. I did anything, there’s nothing in it, “groans Ludo, the net barely closed. A third stroke brings the nightfall to twelve tonnes of fish in total, while the canned houses ordered seven tonnes.
On board, the smell of small fish has impregnated every corner; Scales cling to the skin and clothing. But the sailors are careful, taking a nap, breaking the crust or drinking a beer while waiting to arrive at the port.
Once in Douarnenez (29), at 5 a.m., it will take another three hours to unload the goods. “In season, there are a lot of hours of work and a few hours of rest,” comments Titouan Precune, a 21 -year -old sailor. You go in the evening, at the end of the afternoon, and you come back sometimes at Midi-3 p.m. to the House, to leave at 5 p.m. So it’s short. But otherwise, it’s pleasant as a job. You’re free on the water, that’s what’s good. »»