| After a general presentation of the Thau lagoon together with its geographic location, socio-economic activities linked to shellfish culture and fishing, this paper investigates the health conditions of the shellfish harvesting areas. I he influence of heavy rainfall following a prolonged drought period is underlined as a determining factor of the momentary bacterial pollution in the harvesting areas, leading to a suspension of sales based on analyses relying solely on the detection of faecal coliforms. As of 1989, bacteriological monitoring was reorganized in the form of a data collection network taking into consideration environmental assessments of water quality as well as shellfish hygiene in order to protect consumer health. Its extension to the... |
