| Bivalve farming is in France a major economical activity, which development was initiated in the mid of last century. It occupies nowadays 24 000 ha of seabottom, leased from the French State, and production figures are above 100 000 tonnes for cupped oyster and 40 000 tonnes for mussel ; these made a gross value of 1 300 millions francs in 1983. Moreover, it shows potential for promising development, by expanding to new areas, especialy in deep sea, or by introducing new species, such as the short neck clam, which production has just reached significant level (300 T in 1984). Long age and success of this cultivation activity come from the important advantages related to the biology and ecology of bivalves: food naturaly available, and of no use by another... |
