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Our coast was a favourite spot for cockle and mussel fishing. A number of "picoteux", sailing boats which were 6 metres long and 1 metre 80 wide and which fished for mullet and bass were moored at the port of Grand Vey at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Once caught the fish were sold, at first on the shore when the "picoteux" returned to port and then in the neighbouring villages where the local tradesmen sold from door to door. Each fishmonger along the coast had his reserved pitch at the Sainte-Mère market. The fine sandy beaches along the Cotentin coast extend from the Baie des Veys to St Vast La Hougue. The invasions of the Vikings in 900AD, the English during the 100 Years War and the American landing of 6th June 1944 have all taken place here.
Apart from "pêche à pied" (beachcombing) for cockles, mussels, shrimps, prawns, crabs etc. mussel and oysters are farmed here. St Vast La Hougue, a marina for private sailing boats as well as a port for fishing boats, is also very well known for its large oyster beds whose reputation is unmatched. | 
