Élevage de la palourde japonaise Ruditapes philippinarum dans le bassin d'Arcachon. Bilan des dix dernières années et perspectives de développement

Farming of the Japanese clam Ruditapes philippinarum took place for the first time in 1980 in the Arcachon basin. After an experimentation period of about ten years, a farming strategy, taking into consideration the distinctive features found in the bay, was able to emerge. For example, in order to fight against clam predators, crabs such as Carcinus maenas, and balistes such as Balistes capriscus, vertical protection coupled with prior ground gravelling, and laying of nets over the beds during the summer months, have become necessary. The best raising technique seems to rest on early spring planting of middle size spats (T5), after checking that no brown rings are visible. If clam growth seems to be better in oceanic zones, it looks similar in other areas of the bay. Yields remain high: a well prepared and well maintained bed should be able to produce between 2 and 2,5kg of clams ranging from 18 to 20g with a recapture rate of 55 to 65% in less than two years. In spite of this high potential, the development of this branch in the Arcachon basin has not been as fast as we would have imagined. We recognize that is was set up during a particularly unfavorable socio-economic context (80's oyster farming crisis in Arcachon). However, in spite of returning to a normal situation as early as 1985, professionals never really integrated the constraints of this new activity into their company's operations. Available areas and biological performance obtained are two important assets for the development of farming Ruditapes philippinarum in the Arcachon basin but it will only happen through good mastering of raising and commercialising strategies.