Rémi Mongruel

Why, how, and how far should microbiological contamination in a coastal zone be mitigated ? An application of the systems approach to the Thau lagoon (France)

This paper describes the building of an integrated simulation tool based on a systems approach, and its contribution to local political discussion of the mitigation of microbiological contamination of the water in a coastal area. Local management schemes view water quality as a high-priority environmental objective. In practice, how far this objective is achieved depends on trade-offs between the costs of improved water treatment facilities and the acceptable impacts of water contamination. An in-the-field experiment in collaboration with local managers was carried out in the Thau lagoon on the French Mediterranean coast during the SPICOSA (Science and Policy Integration for Coastal System Assessment) project, from 2007 through 2011. It consisted of building a modeling platform and an integrated assessment framework for simulating exploratory scenarios. The modeling platform combines a dynamic contamination model, which represents the sources of microbiological contamination, wastewater treatment facilities, and physical mechanisms of lagoon contamination, with a prospective economic model, which estimates the patterns of development of economic activities in the area through a holistic approach. Exploratory scenarios are used to assess the risk of water contamination and the efficiency of management measures, under various assumptions about the evolution of the system. The contamination simulations suggest that the work currently planned by local authorities will be inadequate for preventing increased water pollution, and that additional but fairly inexpensive management measures for maintaining the current level of water quality should be considered. The integrated assessment framework estimates the ecological and socio-economic impacts of the various pollution mitigation policies in the broader context of possible local development patterns. The results illustrate how the systems approach may aid in the design of an applicable water policy based on operational objectives and feasible technical options.

EXTERNALITIES, INSTITUTIONS AND THE LOCATION CHOICES OF SHELLFISH PRODUCERS: THE CASE OF BLUE MUSSEL FARMING IN THE MONT-SAINT-MICHEL BAY (FRANCE)

ABSTRACT Most marine aquaculture activities remain strongly dependent on coastal ecosystems. In the case of shellfish farming, this dependency is related mainly to water quality and to the various ecological interactions resulting from the dynamics of coastal food webs. Such ecological constraints have influenced the overall evolution of blue mussel farming in the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay, leading producers to negotiate collective arrangements regarding production capacity and techniques and to develop production strategies at the farm level. This article presents an analysis of the location choices of mussel farmers in the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay based on an empirical investigation conducted in 2002. A typology of farms with respect to their land structure is developed in which some farms choose to concentrate their activity in a single part of the bay while others distribute their activity more widely. Determinants of the location choices of each farm category, including distance to port, natural productivity differentials, and predation of mussel stocks, are analyzed. The role of the institutional arrangements allowing mussel farmers to develop these location strategies is also discussed.

Practical application of the Ecosystem Service Approach (ESA): lessons learned and recommendations for the future

ABSTRACT An Ecosystem Service Approach (ESA) is increasingly advocated for use in both environmental management and academic applications. However, despite extensive conceptual development, there are still very few examples of the effective use of the ESA for operational management. This contribution reports on the field application of the ESA at six marine and coastal case study sites. Each case study demonstrates a variation on an interdisciplinary approach to translate complex natural science data into ecosystem service terminology, and then explores the usefulness of this information in a management context. From these experiences 6 key recommendations are made to aid the future application of the ESA: (1) Invest resources in collective planning of ESA; (2) apply dynamic and connected approaches including multiple ES; (3) undertake ESA at a local scale; (4) employ interdisciplinary research; (5) work proactively and transparently with data gaps and uncertainty; (6) record ESA and resultant impact. For each recommendation an accompanying discussion of state of the art tools and methods is provided to promote their attainment. EDITED BY Evangelia Drakou

National Policy Objectives and Local Management Results: The Economic, Social, and Environmental Performances of Shellfish-Farming Institutions in the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay (France)

This article examines the discrepancies between national policy objectives for the development of shellfish-farming in France and the results of this policy at the local level. National legislation is claimed to favor a “people-oriented” policy and the sustainable use of marine coastal resources. In practice, stakeholders implement this policy under local institutional arrangements. A case study in the Mont-Saint-Michel Bay compares the economic, social, and environmental performances of both mussel and oyster industries. Local management arrangements have avoided overexploitation. Conversely, performances in terms of rent distribution, job retention, and contribution to public budgets are inconsistent with national objectives. This suggests that the existence of conflicting interests, information asymmetries, and unequal bargaining powers was not sufficiently envisaged when the national regulation framework was drafted. However, when combined with an opaque and weakly regulated system of transferable use rights, those factors are likely to influence local management processes and their socioeconomic results.

TECHNOLOGICAL ADAPTATION TO HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS: SOCIOECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES FOR THE SHELLFISH FARMING SECTOR IN BOURGNEUF BAY (FRANCE)

The economic impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the shellfish farming sector depend on their frequency, duration and intensity. Safeguarding storage and accelerated detoxification are technical solutions that could mitigate the effects of these events. This article first analyzes the economic feasibility of the technological changes that can be adopted by the shellfish farming sector in France. It then examines their associated social impacts. Finally, an application is carried out on the Bourgneuf Bay production area. The economic analysis addresses three issues related to HABs: (1) the economic performance of the shellfish farms in Bourgneuf Bay, (2) the costs of these new technologies, and (3) the economic viability of such an investment. Results suggest that only a few economically viable farms would be able to implement these technologies, yet this would not be an option for smaller, less profitable farms. Individual action within the context of a “laissez-faire” public policy, taking into account the need for technological equipment, would result in a concentration of the sector to the benefit of the largest capitalist farms, with negative effects on employment and the distribution of economic rent. Alternative ways for implementing these technological changes would require collective actions or public support.

Towards Effective Ecosystem Services Assessment in Marine and Coastal Management

Despite facing increasing pressures and natural threats, complex marine and coastal ecosystems provide a large diversity of services which directly and indirectly contribute to our wellbeing. Assessing the socioeconomic importance of these ecosystem services has been increasingly recognised as a potential argument to support sustainable management of marine ecosystems. A diversity of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and tools has been used including monetary and non-monetary approaches. One way of scoping and simplifying assessments is to start with a clear focus on the management questions that could benefit from a better understanding of ecosystem services. Such a demand-driven approach requires an ecosystem service assessment that begins with the stakeholders. Expert scientific knowledge can be used to identify what data and types of assessment are actually needed to inform management decisions, and also what, practically, can be undertaken in terms of assessment. This chapter presents a stepwise process, called the ‘triage,’ that creates a transparent and strategic process engaging practitioners to determine where best to focus the effort of both natural and social scientists involved in a marine and coastal ecosystem services assessment.