Implementing the Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries is a demanding exercise even though a more or less sophisticated approach might be adopted depending on the fishery or problem concerned and on the capacity available to deal with it. In France, DEMOSTEM, a programme of Ifremer was established to try to practically apply the EAF principles across the high diversity of situations existing in the country. The article summarizes very briefly the lessons learned through this programme implementation and some of the key findings and outcomes. In conclusion, it offers some perspectives on the whole process.