It’s hard to believe the amount of lead littering our coasts. Angling is not trivial as long as the sinker slips between the rocks and the line breaks. It stays there forever. Tom Flambeaux, fisherman in Biarritz in the Basque Country, experienced it. And it was there, at the foot of the virgin rock, that he decided to recover them. He is one of our “Heritage Heroes”, the France 3 show which takes you to meet them. To discover Wednesday May 15 at 11 p.m. and on France.tv.
“Leadkemon…Go!” » The slogan could make you smile if the reality were not so complicated. A reality far from being virtual and denounced by Tom Flambeaux since 2018. The man is a lover of the sea, the seabed and Biarritz to close the portrait.
I was struck by the degradation of our seabed here in Biarritz. It suddenly accelerated.
Tom Flambeaux
It was while returning from a stay in French Polynesia that our man had the idea. Pointed out are the weights used by local fishermen. Tom felt directly concerned since he himself fished for a long time with his grandfather, very close to the Port-Vieux beach in the Basque seaside town.
So, one day, he started collecting them, these damn pellets. One after the other, he accumulated them and quickly transformed them into works of art, sold to finance his approach: cleaning the beaches of Biarritz. “When I calculated, I couldn’t believe it. And I did this alone! » Nearly three tons of lead! Our man still hasn’t come back.
The vein seemed inexhaustible. Proof that we had to act and quickly. For Tom, soon joined by a few friends, the entire marine fauna and flora was heavily affected. The lead slowly but surely intruding into the flesh of the fish caught by those who had let it slip away… out of passion: the sprinkler badly watered!
During his dives, Tom Flambeaux collects the weights left by the fishermen’s sons on the coast.
During his dives, Tom Flambeaux collects the weights left by the fishermen’s sons on the coast. • © Céline Sanchez and Jérémi Stadler
Raise awareness
Tom’s fight quickly resonated beyond Biarritz. Especially since via social networks, the cleaner diver has launched a challenge to lovers of the sea. Where they are, dive, collect, deposit and weigh the harvest. Post the result on Insta and Tom takes care of the rest.
In total, four tonnes were collected, in a magnificent outburst of solidarity.
“Plombkemon Upcycle”, beyond being a delicious play on words, is a real success.
In Biarritz, I find less and less lead, which is a good sign. But you have to stay vigilant!
Tom Flambeaux
With his frank smile, Tom Flambeaux does not mask his satisfaction. The trend is reversed in Biarritz. And if the fishermen have not disappeared from the rocks, their weights are becoming increasingly rare at the bottom of the water. But he knows the fragile situation and the efforts necessary to not lose the fight.
A bit like all the “Heritage Heroes” that Adrien Gavazzi is preparing to meet this Wednesday, May 15 at 11 p.m. on France 3, like a journey in the colors of Maritime Heritage.
