Boulogne is at the center of Europe’s fish trade -- and will be one of the hardest hit by the discard ban, which came into force with the New Year, according to industry watchers.
According to Valerie Rioust of Boulogne-sur-Mer Developpement, the local organization, which promotes the region and works to attract investment and activity, Boulogne has around 380,000 metric tons of fish passing through its port every year.
About 9 percent comes from Boulogne’s home fleet of 146 vessels that range from 12-meter inshore boats to 45-meter trawlers.
“The
