Exploring Nature at Low Tide: Children Learn About Coastal Protection in Octeville-sur-Mer

Octeville-sur-Mer – 22 July 2026: A nature tour focused on shore fishing was held on the coast of Octeville-sur-Mer on Tuesday, 21 July. The free event began at 10:30 a.m. at the Aquacaux association on Chemin de Saint-Andrieux. It was offered by the Seine-Maritime Department and led by Aquacaux.

At low tide, participants explored the rocks at the foot of the cliffs. Using buckets and small nets, they were able to observe marine life. The focus was not on collecting as much as possible, but on discovering a particularly sensitive habitat. The tour was aimed at families and combined time by the sea with environmental education for children and young people.

The organizers also conveyed basic rules for behaving considerately in the tidal zone. Animals and plants among the rocks are adapted to changing conditions of water, wind and temperature. Those entering this area should therefore walk carefully, leave discovery sites as undisturbed as possible, and gently return living creatures after observing them.

Practical advice was also part of the program. Rubber boots were recommended for walking across the wet and sometimes uneven rocks. The meeting point is below a staircase with an elevation difference of around 100 meters. Its location on the English Channel and dependence on low tide require careful preparation and attention to local conditions.

The activity took place at a time when France has tightened rules for recreational sea fishing. Since 12 February 2026, anglers aged 16 and over have had to register in certain cases and report catches of sensitive species through the RecFishing application. Along the coasts of the English Channel, North Sea and Atlantic, this applies to shore fishing when targeting European seabass.

According to the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs, Fisheries and Aquaculture, these reports support scientific knowledge and the protection of stocks that may be threatened by excessive harvesting. The nature tour in Octeville-sur-Mer was based on the same idea: those who understand the coastal environment and its species can better appreciate rules for the sustainable use of the sea.

The verified event took place in Normandy, not Brittany. Octeville-sur-Mer is located west of Le Havre in Seine-Maritime. Aquacaux is the local contact for the tour, which was announced as a departmental nature and coastal excursion.