Sophie Girard

French consumption of oysters and mussels analysed within the European market

Abstract Shellfish farming is the most common and the longest established aquaculture activity in France and in the EU15. Unlike for most other aquatic species, the bulk of French supplies of mussels and oysters come from mariculture. France is the leading European producer of oysters and is almost self sufficient in oysters. The sustainable development of shellfish farming is analysed through a “market and consumer‐ oriented‐approach”, covering trading and marketing issues as well as consumer analysis. Comparisons between mussel and oyster markets highlights some key differences in terms of their distribution network, demand attributes, consumer profiles and regions. There are differences in identification of origin and quality labelling approaches. Producer organizations are becoming more involved in such matters but they do not have the same stake in the two sectors. A review of the current quality control schemes applied in marketing both farmed oysters and mussels completes the economic analysis of these French bivalve markets.

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.