French trade body launches National Fishing Festival

GIFAP – the body that represents the fishing tackle industry in France – has released details of its forthcoming consumer show.

At its latest meeting at the Parc des Expositions de la Beaujoire, in Nantes, its membership voted in favour of the organisation of the National Fishing Festival, which will take place at the nearby Exponents Park from March 23 to 25 next year.

For the first time since its formation, the FNPF, the representative body of fishing in France, attended the meeting and was adopted as the  official partner of the festival. In a statement, GIFAP said: “Having organised trade shows for many years, GIFAP – the only trade union of companies in the profession – wants to take back control of a national trade fair, which will bring together all the players in all the techniques of fresh and sea fishing.”

It added that the organisation of the event has been entrusted to the managers of the exhibition centre who were behind the Nantes Sea Fishing Show. “Its experience and professionalism will be a major asset to the organisation,” said GIFAP.

“GIFAP has named this project a festival because it wants to create a ‘festive’ event for all fishermen and visitors. In addition to covered and outdoor exhibition areas, the hall faces a body of water where demonstrations and equipment testing can take place.

All GIFAP members approved the setting up of the National Fishing Festival in France. These include: Delalande, Daiwa, Fun Fishing, Fiiish, Flashmer, Lemer, Rapala VMC, Sensas, Illex, Sert Garbolino, Shimano, Ultimate Fishing, Cap River, Flashmer, Mepps, Pafex, Powerline, Pure Fishing (Mitchell & Berkley), Inedis Territoires Nature, Pacific Pêche, Rive, Pecheur.com, Info pêche, Fish Friender, La Pêche et les Poissons and the FNPF.