Etude des gisements naturels de mollusques bivalves accessibles en pêche à pied en Basse-Normandie. Aspects biologiques, halieutiques et sanitaires

The lower Norman coast stretches over more than 450 km. Its diversity (sand, rocks,...) favours the development of numerous halieutic resources. The tidal zone is home to multiple bivalve mollusc deposits. Largely sought-after, these shellfishes are the object of shellfish picking, a traditional activity strongly rooted in Norman culture. Shellfish picking is the oldest type of fishing. It enabled the local inhabitants to survive on the tidal zone's halieutic richness. A free activity which does not require any costly equipment, this type of fishing is popular in essence. Using rudimentary tools, shellfish pickers walk along the intertidal zone looking for shellfishes, crustaceans and small fishes. From a subsistence activity, it has become essentially a recreational, but also a professional, activity. Recreational shellfish picking has become really popular. A trend which tends to grow bigger and bigger as we evolve towards a more leisure seeking society, and the growing number of "healthy" retired people. An all-time activity for the inhabitants of the coast, it is a major issue for the lower Norman region. Legacy richness, a tourist interest, shellfish picking must remain a sustainable activity.