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A sustainable and integrated aquaculture farm project within the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm.
This Tuesday, December 20, 2022, the Northern Brittany Regional Shellfish Farming Committee (CRCBN) and Ailes Marines signed an agreement to finance a feasibility study of a farm project in Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (AMTI). Funded by Ailes Marines , the feasibility study will aim to determine the regulatory, technical and economic terms of this innovative project.
A sustainable alternative , this type of innovation is increasingly developing in offshore wind farms in Northern Europe.
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA):
a sustainable alternative
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) combines the exploitation of various species on the same production site, based on the trophic relationships between the different breeding compartments (algae, shellfish, etc.). This association of species makes it possible to recreate an ecosystem by combining complementary species and represents a real solution for the sustainable development of aquaculture activities. This type of production has the dual benefit of reducing the environmental impact of farming and providing additional activity for shellfish farmers (mussels, oysters, etc.).
An innovative device which takes on even more meaning when we note that French shellfish farming ranks 2nd in Europe, with an average production of 200,000 tonnes of shellfish per year . It is characterized by a certain heterogeneity of farming conditions , both from the point of view of species (oysters, mussels, clams, etc.) and the diversity of production sites along the French coast . Among the areas of excellence of French shellfish farming, we find in particular oyster farming , whose products shine abroad ( Source: State Secretariat for the Sea ).
About the Northern Brittany Regional Shellfish Farming Committee (CRCBN)
The Regional Shellfish Farming Committee of Brittany-North brings together professionals in the sector, from Pointe Finistère to the bay of Mont Saint-Michel. Installed along the coasts, they ensure the production of shellfish and contribute to land development.
The CRC represents the interests of shellfish farming on its territory and ensures the balanced management of resources as well as the protection, conservation and management of environments and ecosystems contributing to the good condition of shellfish resources. Among their missions, we also find participation in improving production conditions and, generally speaking, carrying out economic and social actions in favor of members of the professions concerned.
A feasibility study financed by Ailes Marines and supported by the Iberdrola Research and Development department
Ailes Marines is committed to supporting and monitoring the completion of the feasibility study of this AMTI project supported and carried out by the CRC Bretagne Nord , which will mobilize, to carry out, the local structures and centers of expertise which could support the good realization of this feasibility. For example, players in the Costa Rican “fishing” sector such as the CCI 22 as manager of the Costa Rican fish auctions or the Center for the Study and Valorization of Algae (CEVA) could be consulted.
Ailes Marines will finance an aquaculture engineer which will be integrated into the CRC Bretagne Nord for carrying out the feasibility study and whose mission will be to coordinate regulatory expertise (authorization to operate marine cultures, maritime safety, etc.). ), technical and zootechnical expertise economic feasibility expertise . The Iberdrola group , which 100% owns the project company Ailes Marines , is also mobilizing its Research and Development department to support the successful completion of this study.
In conclusion, let us note that the integration of this aquaculture project does not stop at the ecosystem aspect: it also looks at the economic and social components of the Costa Rican fishing industry . Indeed, this project wants to integrate into existing structures (auction, fish trading) and wishes to develop new and complementary synergies on markets other than traditional shellfish farming .