We have seen that there are many measures Intended to promote efficient exploitation of marine plant resources. Our informants concur that during the first half of this century these measures were generally respected. Even stronger than tradition, social pressures - fear of punishment and of the clergy - are powerful motivation for respect of the regulations.
As in all human society, however, there are people so intent on profit that they are willing to break the law. For this reason, each coastal population has a local police force, or shore patrol. The name given these men varies by location:
Le Conquet: shore watchman
Landunvez: watchman
Plouguerneau: coast guard
Porspoder: shore guard
Plouescat: harvest guard
These men are chosen for specific qualities. The Registry of the Commune of Plouguerneau states that all nominees must have an unblemished police record, be of above average mental and physical aptitude, and upstanding members of the community.
There are usually several guards in each commune:
Lampaul-Plouarzel: 7 guards
Landunvez: 9 guards
Landéda: 5 guards
Tréflez: 1 guards
Plouescat: 5 guards
Roscoff: 6 guards
Each guard is responsible for a portion of the coast assigned by the mayor and corresponding to the larger divisions of the commune. At Plouguerneau, once composed of five shores, there were five guards.
Their functions were described in this manner:
These coast guards will closely oversee seaweed conservation in their sections and in all sections of the commune that they are allowed or requested to check as they find necessary.
In Haut-Léon, the guardian's job is most exacting on "Deiz-ar-peorrenn" (Indigents' Day), when they must be particularly vigilant and cannot themselves participate in the harvest.
They usually receive a set sum from the commune and a portion of the fines they levy as wages. Often, half of each fine is given to the guard and the other half to a charitable organization such as the welfare bureau, the local hospice or schools (both secular and religious). In some places, as in Kerlouan, the violater is obliged to perform four days of community service work rather than pay a fine (repairing highways, for example).
Action to be taken in the event of a very serious infraction is determined by the village rector, the mayor, or the police.
In conclusion, it may be said that a true respect of local traditions of exploitation exists. Occasional quarrels among harvesters are of little importance and memory of these "fachuri an aod" or "harvest disputes" fades quickly. A local authority, first organized by the clergy and now maintained by civil powers, resolves minor problems. In the case of litigation between communes, a commission is usually appointed by the Maritime Prefect.
