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Like other seafood products, tuna is highly perishable and sensitive to microbial spoilage. Its consumption, whether fresh or canned, can lead to severe food poisoning due to the activity of specific microorganisms, including histamine-producing bacteria. Yet, many grey areas persist regarding their ecology, conditions of emergence, and proliferation in fish. In this study, we used 16S rRNA barcoding to investigate postmortem changes in the bacteriome of fresh and brine-frozen yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), until late stages of decomposition (i.e. 120 h). The results revealed that despite standard refrigeration storage conditions (i.e. 4°C), a diverse and complex spoilage bacteriome developed in the gut and liver. The relative abundance of spoilage bacterial taxa increased rapidly in both organs, representing 82% of the bacterial communities in fresh yellowfin tuna, and less than 30% in brine-frozen tuna. Photobacterium was identified as one of the dominant bacterial genera, and its temporal dynamics were positively correlated with histamine concentration in both gut and liver samples, which ultimately exceeded the recommended sanitary threshold of 50 ppm in edible parts of tuna. The results from this study show that the sanitary risks associated with the consumption of this widely eaten fish are strongly influenced by postcapture storage conditions.

International audience; Inspired by agroecology, ecological aquaculture proposes an alternative model that uses ecology as a paradigm to develop innovative, more eco-friendly aquaculture with environmental, economic and social benefits. Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) is one application of this principle. Inspired by the natural trophic chain, it associates primary producers with primary or secondary consumers, providing a new source of biomass without requiring supplementary feed by recycling inorganic and organic wastes. Of these systems, land-based IMTAs demonstrate several advantages, especially easier control of nutrient flows, contaminants and/or predators. This study focused on a land-based marine IMTA, combining a recirculating aquaculture system for fish consecutively with a natural marine polyculture of microalgae and oyster cultivation. The objective was to assess the ability of the microalgal polyculture both to bioremediate fish nutrients and to sustain oyster growth. For the first time in a Mediterranean climate, we confirmed the feasibility of developing a microalgae community of interest for oysters maintained by fish effluent. Despite strong variability in microalgae production, this IMTA system resulted in significant oyster growth over the experimental period of one month, with growth results of the same order of magnitude as natural juvenile growth. In the conditions tested, this IMTA with reduced human intervention allowed a gain in recoverable biomass of 3.7 g of oyster produced per kg of fish feed distributed. By transforming waste into additional biomass, IMTAs offer a more promising, ecological avenue for aquaculture, based on a circular economy, which may in turn increase the social acceptability of fish farming.

The use of detritivores under sea farms is a promising avenue to mitigate the benthic impacts of marine fish farms. Sea cucumbers are interesting candidates for integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) due to their prevalence in the marine environment, their diversified diet and their economic value. Yet limited information is available regarding their capacities to be stocked and reared underneath aquaculture cages and the associated effects on their survival, growth rate and body composition. This study focused on Holothuria tubulosa, a Mediterranean sea cucumber species candidate for rearing in the vicinity to marine fish cages. We investigated its potential for co-culture on the seabed more or less influenced by marine fish cages. The farm's waste footprint was predicted using a dispersion model (NewDEPOMOD) to estimate the farm's influence along a transect where we also sampled sediment at four distances from the cages (0 m, 25 m, 100 m from the cages, plus a reference site at 150 m). Organic composition of the sediment was analysed (TOC, TON, TOP, OM, stable isotope signature) and linked to the results from the dispersion model. Based on the model simulation, the maximum flux of matter reached almost 17 kg solids.m−2.year−1 below the cages, and gradually decreased with distance from the cages. An isotopic gradient was also found in the sediments according to the distance from the farm, with an enrichment in δN15 and a depletion in δC13 with increasing proximity to the farm. In parallel we investigated the response of adult sea cucumbers placed at varying distances from the fish cages for a period of one month, measuring their proximate composition, isotopic concentration, and fatty acid and protein composition. We found that despite good survival, growth was null over the experiment. While the isotope signature of the sea cucumbers was significantly affected by distance from the cage, this did not follow the pattern found in sediment. There was a clear difference in fatty acid composition between sites, with sea cucumbers closer to the cages having lower levels of short-chain fatty acids. The protein content was also lower in sea cucumbers reared right below the cages. These results suggest that while adult H. tubulosa can survive the environmental conditions below marine aquaculture cages, they do not nutritionally benefit from fish waste over short periods in the stocking conditions we tested. Their use in IMTA requires further investigation to find optimal stocking conditions.

Although tunas represent a significant part of the global fish economy and a major nutritional resource worldwide, their microbiome still remains poorly documented. Here, we conducted an analysis of the taxonomic composition of the bacterial communities inhabiting the gut, skin, and liver of two most consumed tropical tuna species (skipjack and yellowfin), from individuals caught in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. We hypothesized that each organ harbors a specific microbial assemblage whose composition might vary according to different biotic (sex, species) and/or abiotic (environmental) factors. Our results revealed that the composition of the tuna microbiome was totally independent of fish sex, regardless of the species and ocean considered. Instead, the main determinants of observed diversity were (i) tuna species for the gut and (ii) sampling site for the skin mucus layer and (iii) a combination of both parameters for the liver. Interestingly, 4.5% of all amplicon sequence variants (ASV) were shared by the three organs, highlighting the presence of a core-microbiota whose most abundant representatives belonged to the genera Mycoplasma, Cutibacterium, and Photobacterium. Our study also revealed the presence of a unique and diversified bacterial assemblage within the tuna liver, comprising a substantial proportion of potential histamine-producing bacteria, well known for their pathogenicity and their contribution to fish poisoning cases. These results indicate that this organ is an unexplored microbial niche whose role in the health of both the host and consumers remains to be elucidated.

Background : Although tunas represent a significant part of the global fish economy and a major nutritional resource worldwide, their consumption poses a risk of food poisoning through the development of particular bacterial pathogens. However, their microbiome still remains poorly documented. Here, we conducted a multi-compartmental analysis of the taxonomic composition of the bacterial communities inhabiting the gut, skin and liver of two most consumed tropical tuna species (skipjack and yellowfin), from individuals caught in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Results : Our results revealed that the composition of the microbiome was independent of fish sex, regardless of the species and ocean considered. Instead, the main determinants were (i) tuna species for the gut and(ii) sampling site for the skin mucus layer, and (iii) a combination of both parameters for the liver. Interestingly, only 4.5% of all ASVs were shared by the three compartments, raising numerous questions about the circulation of microorganisms within the tuna body. Our results also revealed the presence of a unique and diversified bacterial assemblage within the liver, comprising a substantial proportion of histamine-producing bacteria, well known for their potential pathogenicity and their contribution to fish poisoning cases. Conclusions : These results indicate that the tuna liver is an unexplored microbial niche whose role in the health of both the host and consumers remains to be elucidated.

WOS:000667043200001; International audience; Cortisol is recognized as a physiological indicator of stress in fish. However, this hormone is typically measured in plasma samples. In this study, cortisol content was evaluated for the first time in the scales of tropical tuna. The sample included 20 skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) and 25 yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) collected in the Atlantic (the Gulf of Guinea off the Ivory Coast) and the Indian Ocean (off Reunion Island), and their scales were analyzed using an ELISA test. The results indicated that on average, cortisol concentration (1) did not show any geographical pattern, (2) was independent of fish size, and (3) was significantly higher in skipjack (mean 4.75 ± 6.56 ng g−1) than in yellowfin (mean 1.65 ± 1.85 ng g−1), although the difference was mainly due to four skipjack individuals. Larger datasets would be needed to confirm any species difference in cortisol concentration. The particularly high cortisol concentration observed in four individuals may be due to fish from different schools, suggesting the need for future sampling from free-swimming schools to investigate intra- and inter-school variability in cortisol concentration. This study opens the door for future research, including the collection of scales on tagged individuals, to investigate the links between chronic stress and behavior in these species.

Oysters modify the planktonic microbial community structure by their filtration and NH4 excretion activities. While many studies have been conducted on this subject with adult oysters, none had been carried out in situ with juveniles. Pacific oyster juveniles (Magallana gigas, previously Crassostrea gigas) died massively all over the world since 2008 in relation with OsHV-1 infection. During mortality episodes, sick and dead oysters are not separated from healthy live ones, and left to decay in the surrounding environment, with unknown consequences for the nutrient cycle and planktonic microbial components (PMC). The present study aimed to elucidate for the first time the interactions between oyster juveniles and PMC during a mortality episode. Innovative 425-L pelagic chambers were deployed weekly in situ around oyster lanterns along a stocking-density gradient in the Thau Mediterranean lagoon (France) before, during and after an oyster mortality episode, from April to May 2015. This study reveals (i) significant changes of planktonic microbial community structure during mortality episodes, with a proliferation of picoplankton (

International audience; Constructed wetlands (CWs) are environmentally-friendly methods for mariculture wastewater purification. The hydraulic regime is a key factor in the effectiveness of sub-surface flow CW treatment. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of five hydraulic operating regimes (i.e. Intermittent, Continuous, Batch I, Batch II and Batch III) on the purification performance of CW treated with mariculture wastewater and to assess the correlations between enzyme activities (i.e. urease, dehydrogenase) and purification performance of CW. Fifteen pilot sub-surface CWs with Salicornia bigelovii were investigated for the performance of CW as well as urease activity (UA) and dehydrogenase activity (DA). Over the experiment, removal efficiencies of TAN, NO3−-N, TN and COD under five hydraulic operating regimes were 26.6 to 37.2%, −6.0 to 16.5%, 9.4 to 16.8% and 33.9 to 44.6% respectively, corresponding to removal rates of 147.6 to 456.9 mg m−2 d−1, −18.1 to 229.2 mg m−2 d−1, 174.0 to 603.6 mg m−2 d−1 and 501.9 to 1421.6 mg m−2 d−1 respectively. CW with a Batch III operating regime had the best treatment performance, with mean removal efficiencies of TAN, NO3−-N, TN and COD of 37.2%, 16.5%, 14.9% and 34.0% respectively, with the corresponding removal rates of 456.9, 229.2, 603.6 and 873.6 mg m−2 d−1. As for enzyme activities, the UA was significantly higher in CW under Batch II than in Intermittent and Continuous operating regimes and the DA in CW with Batch I was significantly higher than under an Intermittent operating regime. UA and DA had significant positive correlations with COD concentrations but negative correlations with TAN and TN concentrations. The correlation analysis results showed that UA and DA can be an important indicator in evaluating removal performance of CW with Salicornia bigelovii in marine aquaculture wastewater treatment.

International audience; Significant mortality of Crassostrea gigas juveniles is observed systematically every year worldwide. Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) is caused by Ostreid Herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) infection leading to immune suppression, followed by bacteraemia caused by a consortium of opportunistic bacteria. Using an in-situ approach and pelagic chambers, our aim in this study was to identify pathogen dynamics in oyster flesh and in the water column during the course of a mortality episode in the Mediterranean Thau lagoon (France). OsHV-1 concentrations in oyster flesh increased before the first clinical symptoms of the disease appeared, reached maximum concentrations during the moribund phase and the mortality peak. The structure of the bacterial community associated with oyster flesh changed in favour of bacterial genera previously associated with oyster mortality including Vibrio, Arcobacter, Psychrobium, and Psychrilyobacter. During the oyster mortality episode, releases of OsHV-1 and opportunistic bacteria were observed, in succession, in the water surrounding the oyster lanterns. These releases may favour the spread of disease within oyster farms and potentially impact other marine species, thereby reducing marine biodiversity in shellfish farming areas

International audience; The aim of the present work was to test the influence of juvenile oyster culture on benthic-pelagic coupling in the French Mediterranean Thau Lagoon. Although the period of juvenile growth induces the introduction of millions of juvenile oysters in the lagoon over a short duration, the effects on the water-column and on the benthic ecosystem are poorly known. Using a multiple ecological approach, water column parameters, sedimentation rates, sediment characteristics and benthic fluxes were monitored on three occasions during the oyster pre-growth period, from October to December, at two sites inside the farming area and two sites outside the farming area that served as reference. In the water column, results showed a significant lower ratio between total phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a) and degraded pigments (pheopigment), a significant increase in the contribution of phytoplankton containing chlorophyll-b (ie chlorophytes) to total phytoplankton biomass and a significant decrease in the contribution of phytoplankton containing chlorophyll-c (mainly diatoms) to the total phytoplankton biomass at farm sites, attributed to the grazing pressure caused by juvenile oysters on large particles, as described for adult oysters. No significant effect was observed at the benthic interface during this period, due to the dispersion of the small quantities of biodeposit produced by juveniles in the low water temperature conditions. A multivariate approach supported the effect of juvenile oysters on the water column and revealed a trend in benthic conditions with farm sites being distinct from the reference ones. The long farming history of the lagoon could have shaped sediment properties such that farming areas maintain different benthic conditions.

International audience; Recently, CO2 recycling for the production of valuable microalgae has acquired substantial interest. Most studies investigating CO2 conversion efficiency in algal cultures were based on single species, although a stabilising effect of algal diversity on biomass production was recently highlighted. However, addition of CO2 into polyalgal cultures requires a careful control of pH; performance of CO2 conversion, growth and carbon biomass production are affected by pH differently, depending on the species of microalgae. This study investigates the efficiency of CO2 conversion by natural marine algal assemblage cultivated in open, land-based raceways (4.5 m3, 10 m2), working as high rate algal ponds (HRAP). Ponds were enriched with nitrogen and phosphate, pure CO2 was added and algal cultures were grown under three different fixed pH levels: pH 6, 7 and 8. The highest conversion of photosynthetically fixed CO2 into carbon biomass (40%) was reached at pH 7, an intermediate level, due to the partial CO2 asphyxiation of algal predators (copepods, ciliates), while being under the suboptimal conditions for the development of marine amoebae. Under this pH, the theoretical maximal biological conversion of available CO2 into carbon biomass was estimated to be 60% in naturally inoculated open ponds.

Most older methods of fish farming, or aquaculture, have focused on growing only a single species of sea life, for example, salmon. Modern aquaculture systems involve the cultivation of two or more species together, based on what happens normally in the food chain, so that one species can provide a source of food for another species in the farm. This article describes the results of an experiment combining fish culture with algae culture and oyster culture. We show that algae can grow using fish waste, and oysters can eat algae to produce good-quality, healthy food, which reduces the pollution generated by aquaculture.

International audience; This study aims to investigate the effects of ammonia nitrogen loading rates and salinity levels on nutrients removal rates and substrate enzyme activities of constructed wetland (CW) microcosms planted with Salicornia bigelovii treating mariculture wastewater. Activities of urease (UA), dehydrogenase (DA), protease (PrA) and phosphatase (PA) were considered. Using principal component analysis (PCA), nutrient removal index (NRI) and enzyme activity index (EM) were developed to evaluate the effects. The results revealed that increasing ammonia nitrogen loading rates had positive effects on nitrogen removal rates (i.e. NH4-N and DIN) and enhanced substrate enzyme activities. Compared with low salinity (i.e. 15 and 22), high salinity levels (i.e. 29 and 36) enhanced nutrients removal rates, DA and UA, but weaken PA and PrA. In conclusion, CW microcosms with Salicornia bigelovii can be used for the removal of nutrients under a range of ammonia nitrogen loadings and high salinity levels.

International audience; In the context of increasing demand for environmental recovery, aquatic systems may face the challenge of evolving under oligotrophication. This is the case in Mediterranean lagoons, in particular the shellfish-farmed Thau lagoon in France, where we studied recruitment of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. Oyster spat and environmental parameters were monitored at several sampling sites for 3 yr (2012 to 2014) using an original method with a temporal overlap deployment of collectors to study pre- and post-settlement processes and to identify the best conditions for recruitment. Contrary to the ‘no Pacific oyster reproduction’ paradigm in Mediterranean lagoons, our study showed that recruitment of this introduced species is possible in the Thau lagoon at levels comparable to those in other traditional French breeding basins. We identified a favorable environmental window for recruitment characterized by high water temperature (>26.5°C) and high nanophytoplankton and Chaetoceros spp. abundances (>4.3 × 106 and 345 × 103 cells l-1, respectively). In these favorable conditions, we hypothesize that the ecosystem functions as an autotrophic system, in contrast to the heterotrophic system that characterizes unfavorable conditions. Under heterotrophic conditions, high abundances of mixotrophic and heterotrophic organisms (ciliates and dinoflagellates) limited the metamorphosis of C. gigas larvae, leading to poor recruitment. This study provides new knowledge on the reproduction of the Pacific oyster in a Mediterranean lagoon under warming and oligotrophication. The shellfish industry will profit from the discovery of spatfields to develop new nursery practices that are eco-friendly and limit risks of transfers with other spatfall areas.

International audience; The Thau lagoon, located at the South of France, provides 10% of the French pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas production. Despite this intensive shellfish production, the larval recruitment of this species within the Thau lagoon is still misunderstood and spat collection remains highly variable; as a consequence, shellfish farmers rely mostly on hatchery”s spat. The present study aimed to describe reproduction features of C. gigas within the Mediterranean, as well as to explore spawning triggers of this species. To achieve this goal, the reproduction cycle from gametogenesis to spawning was followed during two years in several locations within the Mediterranean Thau lagoon. The spawning behavior of C. gigas within the Thau lagoon appeared to be slightly different from the one of the Atlantic Coast, showing several spawning events from June to October. The minimal temperature for massive spawning was 23 °C, which is much higher than temperatures mentioned in the literature for this species. A strong relationship was found between phytoplankton communities and gametogenesis, the latter being improved by a higher diatom/dinoflagellate ratio. Temperature was insufficient alone to explain spawning, highlighting other potential triggers such as the moon or lightning strikes. We made the hypothesis of a hierarchy of events triggering spawning, encompassing locking, synchrony and intensifying triggers. Statement of relevance This paper is filling in a gap in the literature regarding to reproduction of C. gigas in the Thau lagoon, which is always associated to temperature. However, temperature may not be the only factor involved in oyster reproduction, that is what we tried to show in this paper.

International audience; Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems are a promising solution for sustainable aquaculture combining nutrient recycling with increased biomass production. An innovative land-based recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) was studied in France for a 60-day experiment. It combined a European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) RAS with two other production systems: high rate algal ponds (HRAP) with natural marine polyspecific algal assemblages, and oysters in separate open tanks. The objective was the assessment of: 1) the efficiency and the stability of the microalgae bioremediation of the effluent from a fish RAS in spring and summer, 2) the abundance and the diversity patterns of the microalgae biomass for consumption in the oyster compartment of the IMTA. Silicate was added every week after the beginning of the experiment for maintaining a Si:N:P molar ratio of 10:5:1 in the HRAP to encourage the growth of diatoms. The HRAP have an overall removal efficiency of 98.6 ± 0.2% for NO3-N, 98.0 ± 0.4% for NO2-N, 97.3 ± 0.7% for NH4-N and 96.1 ± 0.6% for PO4-P, with removal rates of 335.8 ± 0.8, 23.6 ± 0.2, 30.9 ± 0.2, and 22.3 ± 0.2 mgm−2 d−1, respectively. The concentration of total suspended solid (TSS) and chlorophyll a (chl a) increased during the experiment and reached maximum values on day 46 (135.3 ± 34.7 mg TSS l−1 and 0.42 ± 0.03 mg chl a l−1) after which the microalgae collapsed due to a CO2 limitation (pH ca. 10). Sequencing analysis revealed that the microalgae community was dominated by Tetraselmis sp. from day 1 to day 16 (45.7% to 73.8% relative abundance). From day 30 to day 43 the culture was dominated by diatoms, Phaeodactylum sp. (83.4% to 98.1% relative abundance). Although the stable carbon isotope signatures confirmed that the microalgae were consumed, oysters' growth was limited in the RAS-IMTA, suggesting that oysters were under stress or not fed enough

Japanese oysters spatfields were recently discovered in the French Mediterranean Thau lagoon farmed for shellfish. This discovery led to interesting issues concerning research for a highly seashell exploited ecosystem. The analyses of various environmental parameters characterized favorable sites and periods for spat collection. Spat collection in Thau lagoon presented high temporal and spatial heterogeneities related to hydrodynamic, predation, competition and trophic resource variability. Here, the results highlight various explicative factors of the Japanese oysters recruitment within Thau lagoon and underline the high ecological variability in the studied system under oligotrophication.

WOS:000561438700036; International audience; Shellfish aquaculture has the potential to alter benthic assemblage composition with subsequent modifications of ecosystem functioning. While the impacts of aquaculture on the taxonomic structure of macro- and — to a lesser extent — meiofauna, have been widely studied, the functional changes of these communities remain relatively unknown. The recent development of biological trait analysis (BTA) has made it possible to produce information about how ecosystem functioning could change across specific terrestrial or aquatic system. In the present study, we used a BTA in parallel with standard taxonomic analysis to evaluate how well the two approaches detected the potential influence of juvenile oyster culture on the benthic community in the French Mediterranean Thau Lagoon. Two sites were sampled under farm structures and compared with two reference sites beyond the influence of farming. This study is the first detailed parallel description of macro- and meiofauna (nematodes). A total of 118 and 41 taxa were determined for macrofauna and nematodes respectively. Some taxa were more abundant or exclusively observed under farm structures such as Chaetozone gibber and Neanthes acuminata for macrofauna and Daptonema fallax and Anticoma eberthi for nematodes. Overall, our results indicate that biological traits and functional indices both detected the impact of shellfish culture on benthic assemblages, whereas macrofauna taxonomic indices revealed no difference. Our results thus suggest that trophic and ecological groups are particularly good indicators of the effects of shellfish culture. This study confirms the relevance of the functional approach, and more generally of multi-index approaches, to detect the influence of aquaculture on benthic communities. Further work is required to test multiple traits in different regions and under different systems, but this work paves the way for environmental impact assessment using a trait based approach.

International audience; Reproduction and recruitment of benthic invertebrates are influenced by the climate and by the ecological structure of marine ecosystems, along with local anthropogenic pressures such as eutrophication or oligotrophication. Using the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas as a biological model, we tested the hypothesis that the variability in prodissoconch II (PII) size (i.e. size at metamorphosis) depends on ecological functioning. Settlement and recruitment were assessed at 5 sampling sites on the French Mediterranean shellfish farmed Thau lagoon during the main summer recruitment events in 3 consecutive years (2012-2014). Hydrobiological and planktonic analyses were conducted at 3 sampling sites. Our results showed that recruitment was extremely heterogeneous, ranging from 0 to 260 +/- 27 SE ind. dm(-2) throughout the ecosystem and was linked with variability in PII size, which ranged from 180 to 296 mu m. The annual temporal pattern of PII sizes appeared to be controlled by temperature during the settlement period, whereas the spatial pattern depended on phytoplankton biomass and on the trophic functioning of the ecosystem. Smaller PII sizes were significantly correlated with the highest phytoplankton biomass, while larger PII sizes were positively correlated with mixotrophic cryptophyte abundance. We found an inverse relationship between PII size and survival after metamorphosis, showing that recruitment success was associated with smaller PII sizes. Regional climate conditions and local trophic functioning appear to be key factors in metamorphosis and consequently contribute to recruitment heterogeneity. Further studies should be performed in other ecosystems following an oligotrophication trajectory to generalize this result.

ISI Document Delivery No.: GD0MX Times Cited: 1 Cited Reference Count: 62 Aubin, Joel Fontaine, Caroline Callier, Myriam d'orbcastel, Emmanuelle Roque Mytilimer SARL The authors thank Mytilimer SARL for their support and the farmers for their time and data provision. We also thank Michelle and Michael Corson for proofreading the manuscript's English. Springer heidelberg Heidelberg; International audience; Bivalve production is an important aquaculture activity worldwide, but few environmental assessments have focused on it. In particular, bivalves' ability to extract nutrients from the environment by intensely filtering water and producing a shell must be considered in the environmental assessment. LCA of blue mussel bouchot culture (grown out on wood pilings) in Mont Saint-Michel Bay (France) was performed to identify its impact hotspots. The chemical composition of mussel flesh and shell was analyzed to accurately identify potential positive effects on eutrophication and climate change. The fate of mussel shells after consumption was also considered. Its potential as a carbon-sink is influenced by assumptions made about the carbon sequestration in wooden bouchots and in the mussel shell. The fate of the shells which depends on management of discarded mussels and household waste plays also an important role. Its carbon-sink potential barely compensates the climate change impact induced by the use of fuel used for on-site transportation. The export of N and P in mussel flesh slightly decreases potential eutrophication. Environmental impacts of blue mussel culture are determined by the location of production and mussel yields, which are influenced by marine currents and the distance to on-shore technical base. Bouchot mussel culture has low environmental impacts compared to livestock systems, but the overall environmental performances depend on farming practices and the amount of fuel used. Changes to the surrounding ecosystem induced by high mussel density must be considered in future LCA studies.

Vulcanodinium rugosum, a recently described species, produces pinnatoxins. The IFR-VRU-01 strain, isolated from a French Mediterranean lagoon in 2010 and identified as the causative dinoflagellate contaminating mussels in the Ingril Lagoon (French Mediterranean) with pinnatoxin-G, was grown in an enriched natural seawater medium. We tested the effect of temperature and salinity on growth, pinnatoxin-G production and chlorophyll a levels of this dinoflagellate. These factors were tested in combinations of five temperatures (15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 degrees C) and five salinities (20, 25, 30, 35 and 40) at an irradiance of 100 mu mol photon m(-2) s(-1). V. rugosum can grow at temperatures and salinities ranging from 20 degrees C to 30 degrees C and 20 to 40, respectively. The optimal combination for growth (0.39 +/- 0.11 d(-1)) was a temperature of 25 degrees C and a salinity of 40. Results suggest that V. rugosum is euryhaline and thermophile which could explain why this dinoflagellate develops in situ only from June to September. V. rugosum growth rate and pinnatoxin-G production were highest at temperatures ranging between 25 and 30 degrees C. This suggests that the dinoflagellate may give rise to extensive blooms in the coming decades caused by the climate change-related increases in temperature expected in the Mediterranean coasts.

During 84 days, the effects of density on juvenile sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) (76 +/- 16 g) were studied in an experimental tank-based flow through system. Performance, stress response and resistance to virus infection were analysed under five stabilized rearing densities: 10, 20, 40, 70 and 100 kg m(-3). Water quality parameters (CO2, total ammonia nitrogen and O-2) were measured and maintained close to the recommended values for farmed sea bass by adjusting water renewal exchange. No significant differences were observed between density treatments, neither on stress response (cortisol) nor susceptibility to nodavirus. With regards to biological performances, the daily feed intake and specific growth rate were significantly lower in fish reared at the 100 kg m(-3) density. Results on the effects of density in sea bass reared in flow through (present study) and in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) (Sammouth et al. 2009) were compared as a contribution to the identification of density not affecting health and welfare in farmed sea bass.

Over the last few decades, European fish culture was developed mainly as a intensive monospecific activity. In most countries, marine aquaculture cannot continue to develop on the shore line where it first settled due to high competition with other activities. It has now to move either offshore or into recirculation systems located in less occupied spaces. Fresh water availability and impact of fish production farms on the environment are strongly restraining the development of the activity, which is even declining in some countries such as France. Recirculation systems make it possible to decrease water consumption and facilitate waste treatment. Their economical feasibility is being demonstrated and they offer an alternative to developing fish farms. Whatever the rearing system, nutrients of feed are partially converted into fish flesh and most of them are thrown back as wastes into the environment. Integrated systems make it possible to convert such nutrients into algae, molluscs or fish and to release purified water. This article presents some aspects of the development of three types of rearing systems which are increasingly used in northern Europe: offshore cage culture, recirculation systems and integrated systems.

International audience; We present the first large-scale, high-resolution spatial and temporal pattern of disease mortality caused by Ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1) that has affected Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas in France every year since 2008, in relation to local farm use. Mortality was monitored in healthy oyster spat deployed at 106 locations in the Thau Mediterranean lagoon during the epizootic that occurred in spring 2011. We conducted a field survey of farming practices in the areas where the sentinel oysters were placed before the epizootic. We found that the risk of disease mortality in sentinel oysters was higher within the bivalve farming area than outside it, suggesting that the infection pressure is much higher in areas with intensive farming activity. The risk of mortality was higher in farms rearing spat, a developmental stage particularly susceptible to OsHV-1, than in farms rearing adult oysters, which are generally more resistant. Additionally, the mortality risk in farms rearing adult animals was similar to that in empty farms, which suggests that, during the study period, adult oysters did not vector the disease. Interestingly, the mortality risk for sentinel oysters deployed in mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis farms was lower than for those held in oyster farms or empty farms, suggesting that mussels reduced the infection pressure on susceptible oysters.

International audience; Although spatial studies of diseases on land have a long history, far fewer have been made on aquatic diseases. Here, we present the first large-scale, high-resolution spatial and temporal representation of a mass mortality phenomenon cause by the Ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1) that has affected oysters (Crassostrea gigas) every year since 2008, in relation to their energetic reserves and the quality of their food. Disease mortality was investigated in healthy oysters deployed at 106 locations in the Thau Mediterranean lagoon before the start of the epizootic in spring 2011. We found that disease mortality of oysters showed strong spatial dependence clearly reflecting the epizootic process of local transmission. Disease initiated inside oyster farms spread rapidly beyond these areas. Local differences in energetic condition of oysters, partly driven by variation in food quality, played a significant role in the spatial and temporal dynamics of disease mortality. In particular, the relative contribution of diatoms to the diet of oysters was positively correlated with their energetic reserves, which in turn decreased the risk of disease mortality.

Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) was applied to evaluate the global environmental impact of two scenarios of trout production systems based on the operational information from an operational farm using a flow through system (FFF) and an experimental pilot low head recirculating system (RSF) located on the same site. The main differences between the environmental balances of the two systems were relative to water use, eutrophication potential and energy use. Independently of the system used, feed is the key indicator in determining the environmental balance (notwithstanding eutrophication potential and water dependence) monitored by fish production, chemical products, buildings and energy consumption. Consequently, when considering the RSF with a lower feed conversion ratio (0.8 versus 1.1 for FTF), the environmental balance of the RSF is more favourable at both global and regional levels, except with regards to energy use. RSF water dependence is 93% lower than the FTF and its eutrophication potential is 26-38% lower due to reduced waste release. On the other hand, at 57,659 MJ per ton of fish produced ( 16 kWh per kg), the RSF consumes 24-40% more energy than the FTF, especially for aeration and water treatment. Nevertheless, the RSF has significant potential for energy reduction through improvements to airlift and biofilter designs which Would reduce RSF energy use to a level similar to that of the FTF (34,869-43,841 MJ per ton of fish produced, corresponding to 10 and 12 kWh respectively). LCA is therefore a powerful tool which can be used on fish farms to define and prioritise the most promising potential improvements to the system. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The objective was to compare water quality and fish growth and mortality in a pilot scale recirculating system (RS) and a control tank in flow through system (FTS). The RS was designed after the Danish Model Trout Farm and operated with a make Lip Water renewal rate of 9 m(3) kg(-1) of fish produced. RS water quality did not decrease significantly with water flow rate decrease in the RS. During the experiment, the RS water treatment system presented solids removal efficiency of 59.6 +/- 27.7% d(-1), ammonia oxidation of 45 +/- 32 g m(-3) d(-1), oxygenation yield of 392 +/- 132 g of O-2 kWh(-1) and CO2 degassing of 23.3 +/- 11.9% pass(-1). In the RS, nitrite concentration was 0.15 +/- 0.07 mg l(-1), close to the toxicity threshold; a N-2 supersaturation phenomenon was measured, probably due to the air injection depth. The biofilter and sedimentation area management has to be improved to avoid Organic matter decomposition and release of dissolved elements. Even if no N-2 over-saturation apparent effect on fish performance and aspect were detected, the airlift depth has to be modified in the case of industrial development of the RS. Some improvements of the water treatment system, especially on the airlift and sedimentation area, are suggested. Concerning fish growth, no significant differences were observed between the RS and the FTS. No pathologies were detected and cumulative mortality rates (0.1%) were similar to the farm's Usual data. There were no significant effects of water flow rate decrease in the RS on fish performance and energy savings were recorded to be 0.7 kWh kg(-1) of fish produced between RS1 and RS2. The global energy cost of the RS was 3.56 kWh kg(-1) of fish produced (0.107 (sic) kg(-1) of fish produced). Even if the energy consumption of the water treatment system can be improved, the results confirm that recirculating system can be used for industrial trout On growing, without fish performance deterioration. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Sea bass (Dicentrarchus tabrax) (135 +/- 4 g) were reared under tank-based recirculating aquaculture system for a 63-day period at four densities: 10, 40, 70, 100 kg m(-3). Fish performance, stress indicators (plasma cortisol, proteonemia plus other blood parameters-Na+, K+, glucose, pH, total CO2- and water quality were monitored. At the end of the 63-day period, resistance to infection was also studied by a nodavirus challenge. A 25-day test was performed on fish from two extreme densities (10 and 100 kg m(3)) and one intermediate density (40 kg m(3)). With regards to the different density treatments, there was no significant difference between the daily feed intake (DFI) and the specific growth rate (SGR) up to a density of 70 kg m(-3). No significant difference was found between treatments concerning the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and the mortality rate. No density effect was observed on the fish stress level (plasma cortisol) or on sensitivity to the nodavirus challenge. Under these experimental rearing conditions, the density above 70 kg m(-3) has an impact on growth performance (DFI and SGR) indicators and also some blood parameters (CO2) at the highest density tested (100 kg m(-3)). This study suggests that a density up to 70 kg m(-3) has no influence on sea bass performance and welfare. At 100 kg m(-3), average specific growth rate was decreased by 14% without welfare deterioration according to the welfare indicators monitored. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

International audience; The objective of this study was to compare fish performance and welfare at different stocking densities in a recirculating system (RS) and a flow through system (FTS) under field conditions. During the 77 days experiment, the fish survival rate was high (99.3%) and stocking density increased from 57 to 98108 kg m(-3). No significant differences in growth were observed between RS and FTS until day 56. Later, growth decreased in the FTS, while it remained similar to the farm reference at 50 kg m(-3) in the RS. Final weight was 17% higher in RS than in FTS. The maximum carrying capacity of the RS was near 100 kg m(-3), limited by NO(2) increase up to safe level at the end of the experiment, the maximum carrying capacity of the FTS was near 85 kg m(-3), probably limited by CO(2) concentration (17.8 +/- 5.7 mg l(-1)). In the RS, the relative length index of pectoral and dorsal fins was lower than in the FTS, which may be attributed to the tank hydrodynamics. In both systems, an improvement of the pectoral and dorsal profile was observed at the end of the experiment, attributed to a swimming activity reduction that may have decreased contact between individuals. In the RS, high caudal fin deterioration (50% versus 20% in FTS) was observed irrespective of stocking density, that could be linked to the highest water velocity modifying the fish swimming activity. The results confirm that when water quality is maintained in safe level ranges, high densities can be used in trout RS without fish performance and pectoral or dorsal fin deterioration, but with a major caudal impairment. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

European water legislation enforces increasingly restrictive measures with regards to reduction of water consumption and waste emission in order to minimise the potential environmental impact of the agro industry sector. Fish farms are particularly concerned, but legislation covering effluent discharge varies significantly from country to country. However, recommendations and directives from institutional, national or regional bodies suggest the enforcement of increasingly strict waste reduction measures and the development of waste treatment. Before treatment, it is necessary to evaluate waste production in terms of composition and quantity. The waste quantification methods used today for fish culture systems are either based on direct measurements of nutrient and suspended solid fluxes or on indirect evaluation based on the digestibility coefficients of the feed constituents. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the waste of a freshwater flow through farm using both approaches and to discuss their applicability, drawbacks and advantages from the viewpoints of fish farmers and control authorities. Waste production on the farm was monitored during several 24 hour cycles in order to characterise the effluents of the system. The predictions and measurements for the total nitrogen (TN) parameter were well correlated, but measured and predicted suspended solids (SS) and total phosphorus (TP) values presented a weaker correlation coefficient. The hydrobiological method gives details on the N and P forms of waste but this method is heavy and it is difficult to obtain representative samples and flow rate measurements. The nutritional method is the simplest to use, provided that feed data are available. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved..