Shellfish gathering: the spots to know on the Opal Coast

There's an old French nursery rhyme about mussel-picking that springs to mind the moment you try shellfish gathering. This playful, easy-going, almost childlike activity is a lovely moment to share with family, friends, or on your own. Every low tide brings a fresh haul waiting to be found, and you set off on an adventure like a treasure hunter, on the lookout for the smallest hole in the sand. Grab your rake and your bucket, but be careful: don't forget the few golden rules to follow. Find out in this article what you need to know about the fishing spots of the Opal Coast, so you don't come home empty-handed!

Equipment for shellfish gathering

The sea is pulling back, soon it'll be time to fill your basket. But you don't head out fishing without the right gear, namely:

• A pair of boots, or at the very least neoprene or plastic aqua shoes, because flip-flops on the rocks mean a risk of injury, cuts or stings (weever fish also hide in the sand).
• A basket to collect your shellfish — avoid a plastic bag that might blow away (not very eco-friendly 🌍💙).
• A spoon for picking mussels.
• A three-pronged rake for cockles.
• A shrimp net or push net for grey shrimp.
• A sieve to sort the shrimp and immediately return to the water any species you don't want or any specimens that are too small.

When to go

As with any activity along the coast, it's essential to always check the tide times first. A catch will be all the more rewarding if the coefficient is high (above 100). The more the sea pulls back, the more of the shore is exposed, giving you a larger area to search.
– Mussels aren't only picked in the months ending in -ber (a habit dating from the days before refrigeration existed)! But you can eat them all year round, especially from June to February.
– The best season for shrimp remains autumn, but you can go shrimping all year round.
– For cockles, there's no preferred season — they're picked all year round.

The best spots for shellfish gathering on the Opal Coast

Mussel picking

Mussel picking, as easy as it might look, remains strictly governed by l’arrêté no086-2023. This order has applied since 10 May 2023.
The following beds are listed in it as open to amateur fishing:

• Audinghen (from Cran aux Œufs to Cran Mademoiselle);
• Wimereux (from the rescue centre to north of Boulogne's north breakwater, "Fort de Croi");
• Equihen (across the whole commune).

Grey shrimp fishing

The star of aperitifs and salads, the grey shrimp likes to bury itself under the sand at low tide. You set your push net or landing net on the sand and push the net forward: get ready to put some elbow grease in to dislodge it! You'll also spot the little lady in rocky areas, where she loves to take shelter! From Dunkirk to Berck, shrimp are found all along the coast.

Cockle picking

The easiest of all the catches. The golden rule: keep your eyes peeled! Spotting small breathing holes in the sand, a slightly darker patch, or a little bump? You're likely about to make a find. Just scrape the sand with a trident or your bare hands and there you go!

The rules to know for responsible shellfish gathering

👀 It's strongly advised to check (at the town hall, on noticeboards by the sea, or at the prefecture) the regulations and health alerts, which vary from one fishing spot to another.
🕜 Shellfish gathering is only allowed from sunrise to sunset.
📏 Mussels may only be picked if they measure at least 4 cm.
Cockles under 3 cm should be put back in the sand.
Grey shrimp must measure 3 cm or more before going into your basket.
⚖️ No more than 5 kg per person per day.
⛔ Don't fish near shellfish farming concessions or nature reserve zones.

More and more checks are being carried out by associations or by the gendarmerie to raise amateur fishers' awareness of good practice. Shellfish gathering lets you get some fresh air, eat local, and reconnect with nature and the elements. We're lucky to have a coastline with so much to offer — let's enjoy it while respecting it!