PART I

SEMINAR REPORT AND CONCLUSIONS

In the framework of the programme UNDP-FAO-MEDRAP, a seminar and a study tour on mollusc culture were organized in Nantes-Sète, jointly, by MEDRAP and France (Foreign Ministry, IFREMER and ACTIM) from 9 to 19 of June 1992.

The objectives were to exchange information, to update and practice the knowledge on shellfish culture technics and review present statement of production with a particular interest to the quality of products and sanitary control.

Two delegates representing, both, private and public sectors concerned by shellfish culture at national level within each MEDRAP countries attended the seminar and the seminar and the study tour; they were listening to several lectures of high technical and scientific skills (France, Italy, Holland) (The list of participants is annexed to the report).

The programme was conducted in France as follows:

• general coordination, under the responsibility of Mr. Ph. Ferlin (IFREMER - Paris);

• coordination, in Nantes, under the responsibility of Mr Sauvagnargues (Station IFREMER);

• coordination, in Sète, and study tour conduction, under the responsibility of Mr. Coatanea and Mr. Hamon (IFREMER - PALAVAS).

The seminar on Mollusc Culture was organized in two sessions :

1. in Nantes, from 9 to 11 June 1992, Seminar on quality of shellfish products and sanitary control ;

2. in Sète, from 17 to 18 June 1992, seminar on technical aspects of shellfish culture and new production technics.

The study tour which took place from 11 to 16 June 1992 was of a great interest and offered good opportunities to all participants to perform their knowledge when visiting the following conchylicole installations, expedition centers and scientific stations on the way from Nantes to Sète :

All information related to the above cited seminars and study tour is given in the agenda annexed to this report.

During the seminar on molluscs culture six main topics related to the subject were received and discussed:

Besides these topics, a survey of present and futur statement on shellfish culture was given by each delegate from respective MEDRAP countries. Contents of their communication are complied in Part II, annex I.

Scientific papers and other communication presented by the lecturers are given in part II, annex 2.

The main remark of common concern and the general conclusion retained in that seminar were as follows:

• several constraints related to the site selection need more adaptable shellfish culture technic to be developed;

• the major part of MEDRAP countries have skilled and human resources but still show traditional shellfish culture. The wish to cooperate with EC and others through MEDRAP.

  -   in the formulation and the elaboration of their national director plan for the promotion of molluscs culture;

  -   in the identification of appropriate and potential sites;

  -   in the identification of adapted farming structures;

• MEDRAP is asked to launch a periodical publication and a data base system to keep member countries informed about the various developments and problems, concerning the various aspects of aquaculture and particularly the mollusc culture;

• there is need to insist on the promotion of the local species so to preserve the existing natural stock and, to set up a preventive strategy in order to reduce risks induced by the introduction of new species that could be hazardous to the environment;

• MEDRAP member countries should cooperate with EC in order to prove their normes and regulations and to help in the monitoring of shellfish sites;

• the used technologies in molluscs culture should be well adapted to the local environmental and political context. Development model based on the small and well organized unities seems to be easier to implement than the large scale system;

• quality of the products should be of great concern and adapted to the new EC normes and regulation so as to ensure market accessibility;

• shellfish production potentialities should be identified within the region with regards to technical and biological aspect;

• training and research should concern technical and biological aspects of shellfish culture as well as the carrying capacity of the ecosystem, its natural stock and productivity;

• specific zones for aquaculture and fisheries activities should be defined and caution must be undertaken in respect to the natural stock in order to ensure:

  -   good sanitary protection;

  -   good management to avoid the over exploitation and particularly, the conflicts of littoral zone using;

  -   preservation of coastal system from the impact of shellfish culture outfalls;

• technology should be appropriate and well adapted to the local constraints in the case of the open sea culture, the relevant biological, environmental and legal aspects should be reviewed and well defined;

• diversifications in term of biology and technology should be enhanced according to an organized system of production;

• producers from neighbour countries, should act together with others to promote shellfish activities and reduce risks.

AGENDA

1 - SEMINAR ON THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS AND SANITARY CONTROL
(Nantes, 9–11 June, 1992)

2 - STUDY TOUR ON MOLLUSCS CULTURE
(NANTES-Sète, 11–17 June, 1992)

3 - SEMINAR ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF SHELLFISH CULTURE AND NEW PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES
(Sètes, 17–18 June, 1992)

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS