Regulation and monitoring of marine aquaculture in France

Shellfish farming, with cupped oyster (Crassostrea gigas) as principal species dominates marine aquaculture production in France. Fish production is presently the only expanding marine production sector, mainly in the Mediterranean coast of the country. Shellfish and finfish farmers must obtain a permit in order to use maritime public property. Finfish farmers have to obtain operating authorization, as fish farming is considered by law to be an activity liable to pollute. Each of these two licensing procedures is time consuming and costly. Specific observation networks, aimed at determining the sanitary quality of the shellfish production basins, are operated by the French Institute for Marine Research (Ifremer). Monitoring the impact of aquaculture operations is handled by the Veterinary Services, which utilize the data originating from monitoring undertaken by the farmers themselves. There is a place for implementation in French legislation, in order to harmonize regulations with those set by the European union. Further, rules could be adjusted along with the procedures in order to respond to actual risks commonly encountered. The level of adjustment could efficiently be determined by estimating holding and carrying capacities of the area for both shellfish and finfish.