14 MARCH 2018 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG a considerable number of stakeholders work with cyanobacteria and, although they are not algae from a scientific perspective, they are often mentioned in the context of microalgal activities. Production technologies are based on open or production systems: • Open/ Half-open production systems — open ponds, raceways and longlines • Closed photobioreactor systems (PBR) - flat bed/plate/panel reactor, tubular reactor, bag/flexible tube reactor, rain creating stack system (“horizon”) and fermentation (heterotrophic cultivation). The major markets targeted by French macroalgae companies are primarily for food ingredients, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and textile manufacturing, and secondarily for food products (animal and human sectors), produced from wild-harvested or open-pond grown product. Microalgae in France are primarily used for food (e.g. Spirulina) and to a lesser extent for cosmetic and nutraceutical products and animal feed ingredients. Microalgae producers typically target more diverse markets than those dealing with macroalgae. The most promising markets for microalgae products are within the energy and chemical sectors in combination with bioremediation of industrial flue gases and wastewaters. Planned Growth Although production has stagnated in recent years and the oyster sector has been significantly affected by mortalities, the French government is placing a high priority on further developing the sector and there has been significant activity over recent years on developing growth strategies in all sectors and integrated marine spatial planning. The national growth objectives for 2014-2020 in France are to increase by 2020: • Production volume from 218,000 t to 265,000 t in 2020, a 22 percent increase over the 2007-2012 baseline average values. • Production value from 682 million euro to 1,025 million euro in 2020, a 50 percent increase. • Mollusc production volume by 12 percent, • Freshwater fish production volume by 28 percent, and • Marine fish production volume by 233 percent. L’Etang de Thau — One of the Main Mediterranean Lagoons The region of Languedoc-Roussillon currently has eight sites for shellfish production, four in lagoons (Thau, Leucate, Prevost, Gruissan saline) and four directly on the coast (longlines). Representing 90 percent of the Occitanie production, shellfish farming is an important economic activity for the Thau lagoon, with both oyster and mussel production. The Thau lagoon is located on the French Mediterranean coast, 40 km from Montpellier. It is one of the main Mediterranean lagoons in terms of its surface area (7,500 ha) and depth (4.5 m on average). The lagoon has a strong marine influence and is connected to the sea by the canal of Sète (90 percent of exchange) and by the Grau de Pisse Saumes (10 percent of exchange). The residence time of water masses Oyster racks in Thau Lagoon near Sète. Photo: Yves Harache. Oyster pearlnets in Thau Logoon. Photo: Patrik Le Gall, Ifremer. Oyster racks in the Thau Lagoon. Suspended pearl-net rearing structures beneath a support rack.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjExNDY=