| The indigenous oyster of mainland France, the fiat oyster, Ostrea edulis has been part of the human diet for centuries. The Romans collected them and exported them to Rome. Although tanks for holding oysters after harvesting were in use at that time (GreIon 1978) it seems that true culture was not developed along the coast contrary to the records of Pliny the Older. It appears that oysters were already being captured on hoards off the Italian coast. The exploitation of natural stocks continued through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. However, it was not until the 17th century that oyster culture began, first in the pools of the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast and then in specially managed ponds. Papy (1941) repeats a good description given in 1688... |
