Shellfish Farming: Committed to the Environment

The Southern Brittany Regional Shellfish Farming Committee, like the industry as a whole, is committed to environmental conservation. The regional institute carries out numerous initiatives in this regard, including monitoring marine protected areas, collaborating with Natura 2000 managers, and raising awareness of the industry’s environmental programs.
Several of these initiatives focus on the restoration of flat oyster beds—a species endemic to European coasts—which local oyster farmers are deeply committed to preserving.

The Oyster: Ecosystem Engineer

The REPARE project, launched in Brittany—particularly in Quiberon Bay—aims to preserve and restore natural shellfish beds with the support of committed producers and Ifremer.
“Oysters are like ecosystem engineers: by clustering together, they create true biogenic reefs that become habitats conducive to the settlement of other organisms, thereby increasing the biodiversity of their immediate environment (Pouvreau et al. 2021).” (Source: CRC BS)
 

Collection, Recycling, and Reuse

Efforts to collect and find recycling solutions for used production materials are also expanding. Since 2021, more than 50 collection drives for used bags have been organized across 12 municipalities in the region*. Approximately 250 metric tons of plastic have been recycled for various applications, such as automotive parts, plastic pallets, and construction sheeting. Some of this collected material is directly reused through a partnership between CRC BS and the Clim’actions association, which uses these bags to protect young trees from deer. Additionally, as part of a cooperation initiative with Senegal, bags were sent to a women’s cooperative to help develop their business.
Finally, experiments are underway to develop bio-based bags, nets, and retail containers.

* Sainte Hélène, Baden, Locmariaquer, Carnac, Crac’h, Larmor-Baden, Locoal Mendon, Sarzeau, Le Tour du Parc, Surzur, Riec-sur-Belon, Mesquer

Information taken from the CRC BS activity report of June 2026.