Etude intégrée du secteur Loire Vilaine : synthèse des connaissances, analyse des problématiques

The coastal area located between Quiberon and Noirmoutier is influenced by dilution plumes of the Loire and Vilaine rivers. Dysfunctions linked with a growing eutrophication of the environment have been observed over the last decades. Important imbalances such as massive deaths of the fauna in open embayments and more and more appearances of red tides give the area a unique character. Other environ mental problems are likely to disrupt human activites in the near future (bays silting up, quality of coastal water worsening, overfishing ...). This is why there is a real need to gather information on the subject. This will make it possible to identify problems and gaps in the area. Beside presenting pieces of information, the study offers various reflection alternatives that should help understand the complex Loire Vilaine ecosystem. To realise this study, it is necessary to investigate and observe the marine environment. For a better understanding related to the management of this ecosystem, an inventory of the main investigation tools was drawn up.