16 MARCH 2018 • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG The Territory Coherence Scheme (SCOT) fixes the local policy framework for the next 20 years (2010-2030), with objectives of economic development and preservation of the environment and sociocultural traditions, including shellfish farming, fishing in the lagoon, and recreational activities. The Water Planning and Management Scheme (SAGE) is the local water management plan for implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. These management plans define the issue of water quality in terms of specific objectives and translates them into operational decisions. Aquaculture Research Sector In addition to a dozen universities spread all around France, four main organisations lead national aquaculture research in fish and shellfish, all of which are present in the Occitanie Region. INRA. The National Institute of Agricultural Research is the leading agricultural research institute in Europe and the second largest in agricultural sciences in the world. It contributes 90 percent of the national research effort on farmed fish, most on freshwater species. Ifremer. The French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea contributes with its work and expertise to the knowledge of the oceans and its resources, to surveillance of marine and littoral environments and to the sustainable development of maritime activities. In aquaculture, it essentially works on marine species and brings together 90 percent of the research effort on shellfish. CIRAD. The Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development is an organization for agricultural research and international cooperation for sustainable development of tropical and Mediterranean regions. IRD. The Research Institute for Development brings an original approach of research, expertise, training and knowledge sharing for the benefit of territories and countries that make science and innovation one of the first levers of their development. For algae, French research institutions address issues mainly relating to development of better, more efficient production systems, optimisation of growth conditions and development of biorefineries for biofuels and other new energy products such as algae-based hydrogen. Other research-based activities include environmental impact modeling and LCA analysis, abiotic and biotic interactions, bioprospecting and (to a much lesser extent) genetic engineering. In Occitanie, research on algae is growing fast and now is structured under the Algadoc Network (presented in figure). Innovative companies are established in the region in the microalgae production sector, for the sectors of chemistry, food, health, and cosmetics. The Trimatec Competitiveness Cluster organizes each year the event Algo’Réso, the rendezvous for microalgae in the Mediterranean, the appointment of researchers and industrialists of the sector. Notes Alistair Lane, Executive Director, European Aquaculture Society, Slijkensesteenweg, 4 8400 Oostende, Belgium, alistair@aquaeas.eu Béatrice Chatain, Station Experimentale d’Aquaculture Ifremer, Aerial view of the Palavas research station of Ifremer. Photo: Drone STUDIO, Ifremer. Red algae culture. Photo: Raymond Kaas, Ifremer. Microalgae research production tank at the Palavas research station of Ifremer. Photo: Olivier Dugornay, Ifremer. Red algae culture in the Mediterranean Sea.
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