For the last three years the Federation francaise des ports de plaisance have held a day of debates in the Senat in Paris. This year the President of the FFPP, the Catalan Serge Pallares spoke to midi-life.com about his plans for the ports of Languedoc Roussillon.
"The purpose of this day of discussions was to present the very real benefits of developing the sector to the elected members, the public servants and the private sector. We hope to give the politicians and the port managers the tools and the motivation to re-dynamise the pleasure ports of France. Equally we looked the the human resources needed, the skill and training necessary to develop this sector, and the technical support, particularly dredging, dry docks and the over crowding of existing ports, all of which have reached a crisis point due to neglect and under funding."
The lack of funding and overcrowding are hardly new issues as there have been concerns raised for the last 10 years, the new loi litteral which has changed, lightened, the restriction on coastal development has however created opportunities for the FFPP.
"The loi Litteral is a good development for us", explains Serge Pallares, "It allows for the extension of existing ports alongside the redevelopment of existing facilities such as dry docks, we now have thirty projects planned or underway around France.In the Languedoc Roussillon region we should be able to create between 5,000 and 6,000 more places by building floating quais and light structures without damaging the nature and environment of the coast, with two to three years."
"We are building private-public sector partnerships throughout the Languedoc Roussillon region and with the help of European and National financial support, and hopefully regional support as well we shoudl have some mconvincing plans on the table ready for the Salon Nautique in Paris at he end of the year."

5000 New berths for ports in Languedoc-Roussillon 9th November 2004 Peter Shield