In Indre, gendarmes and fisheries guards on joint patrol on Lake Éguzon

The low November sun touches Chambon beach, on the shores of Lake Éguzon. The air is freezing, the wind biting. Two boats are preparing to weigh anchor: one piloted by the fisheries guards of the Indre Fishing Federation, the other by the local gendarmes. Their mission? A joint patrol on “one of the largest fishing spots in the department”an official first since the signing of a partnership agreement in September 2023.

At precisely 2:30 p.m., the engines roar, and the teams separate. While one boat heads north, towards the dam, the other leaves to face the waves from the south. On board the latter, five people, including Mélissa, the only police officer in the team. On the lake, the wind and cold pierce the clothes, but the energy remains intact.

“We are not here to verbalize all the time, but to raise awareness”

First stop: two fishermen in float tubes, a sort of floating seat. “Hello gentlemen, Indre fisheries guard, could you show us your fishing license? » The reconciliation is difficult because of the squalls, but the controllers end up scanning the fishing cards using recently integrated QR codes. Everything is in order.

A few minutes later, near the Fougères campsite, a motorboat attracts attention. The fisheries guards check the authorizations, while Mélissa checks the boat license and whether the person is on the wanted persons file. This collaboration, explains Patrick Maurichon, fishery warden and speedboat pilot, “allows us to complete our skills. The police can check speed or boat licenses, which we are not authorized to do. »

Preserve for better fishing

The patrol is not limited to hunting down infractions. “We are not here to verbalize all the time, but to raise awareness, dialogue with fishermen and fight against bad practices”insists Maurichon. The role of fishery guards goes well beyond control: they ensure the preservation of aquatic environments and the balance of species.

On Lake Éguzon, famous for its predatory fish such as zander and pike, the regulations are strict: three fish per day per fisherman, including two pike maximum. Around ten people will have been checked in an hour and a half. No infractions noted this time, but the teams remain vigilant.

A proven partnership

For Alexandre Dano, commander of the local brigade, this cooperation is precious. “Being present together is both a question of safety for the fishery guardians and a way of guaranteeing compliance with the rules on the lake. People are often more respectful when they see the police. »

Since the signing of the agreement, similar operations have taken place, but this is the first truly scheduled. “These outings also make it possible to establish better coordination. We share information from our respective files, then we get to know each other better”adds the commander.

A broken engine, but a successful mission

The patrol ends near the banks of Crozant. The boat thus begins its return to Chambon, but after verification, with “a large glass of fuel maximum”. Ten meters from the beach, the engine gave up, but it was enough to reach the shore. The smile remains in place: “It’s part of the adventure”jokes Patrick Maurichon.

This first joint patrol marks the start of a collaboration set to strengthen. Two new operations are planned next year, possibly including night trips, where violations such as illegal fishing on unauthorized routes are common.

For the fishery guards as for the gendarmes, the mission is clear: to enforce the law while raising awareness, to preserve the waters of the Indre and its riches. An essential task in a department where fishing is, much more than a leisure activity, a culture.