Jérôme Nicol should, “during the first quarter of 2025”, take over the management of Apak (Armement de la fishing artisanal de Keroman) in Lorient. His taking office comes as part of the reorganization of the shipping line in connection with the announced departures of the two shareholders: Xavier Le Floch (boss of the trawler Carmalia) and Éric Guyniec (former boss of the trawler Annytia). The latter created the armament in 2011, in order to offer fishermen a complete solution, from preparation to repair of vessels until sale. “The Apak is a tool for boats, they only have to fish, we take care of everything,” comments Jérôme Nicol. He joined the company in 2017, to support the seasonal artisanal Keroman Cannery created four years earlier before becoming, two years later, operations manager. “I manage the commerce and logistics part myself.”
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2 Five trawlers
With the sale, on October 10, of the trawler Marie-Lou to Armement coopératif artisanal vendéen, Apak currently has four pelagic trawlers from 19 m to 22 m (Annytia and Carmalia, Naoned, Dolmen) and a fifth , Victoire Céleste, armed mainly for bottom trawling. “Even if he goes pelagic in the summer,” explains Jérôme Nicol. Each boat is independent. Engaged with Naoned in the Hyba (Hybrid Bretagne Atlantique) project, Éric Guyniec “will remain in support of this file, the start of phase 2 of which has just begun”.
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3 Hake and direct sales
Hake, albacore tuna make up the majority of the fishing industry. Hake is fished with a pelagic trawl. “The quotas should be sufficient for 2025,” specifies Jérôme Nicol. It is sold directly, 90% in Lorient and in the Pays Bigouden. The port of Guilvinec, where the four trawlers are stationed, has served as an advanced weapons base for four years. Landed at Guil, the fish returns by truck to Lorient. “We value hake better, in anticipation.” Albacore tuna is also sold directly, 100%. Victoire Céleste fishing langoustine and cephalopods (cuttlefish, squid). The drop in langoustine catches of 25% instead of the 39.5% desired by the European Commission obtained by Fabrice Loher, resigning Minister of the Sea and Fisheries, should not be felt too much.
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4 Closure and camera
As in 2024, the year 2025 will be marked by the closure of the Bay of Biscay. The four pelagic trawlers are affected. “They’re going to stop.” In the middle of hake fishing peak. The armament will be compensated. “Staying at the dock for a fisherman is not possible.” He would like to be able to use this immobilization to “do security work”. This is not permitted by the decision of the Council of State. “It’s in negotiation.” Just like on-board cameras. “In 2026, to measure the impact… It’s disruptive to have cameras.” The operations manager believes that other solutions could have been tested before this one. Faced with the challenges, and the lack of visibility, he remains confident. “We believe it, fishing is a great job.”
