| France is currently one of the leading shellfish production countries in Europe, harvesting more than 150,000 metric tons of the Pacific cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas) and 60,000 tons of mussels (Mytilus edulis and M. galloprocincialis) each year. Among rearing areas, the Charentais Sounds and the Marennes-Oleron Bay rank first in Europe, with an annual production of 40,000 and 15,000 tons of oysters and mussels respectively. More than a third of French production is marketed from the Marennes-Oleron area. As natural C. gigas and M. edulis spatfall is limited to the Atlantic coast, the Marennes-Oleron Bay and the Charentais Sounds play a critical role nationally, representing more than half of French oyster and mussel spat production. The stocking... |
