L’élevage larvaire extensif du bar {Dieentrarchus labrax) et de la daurade royale (Sparus aurata) en milieu naturel stimulé par fertilisation dans les marais salés de la côte atlantique, France

The extensive production of fingerlings (sea bass, sea bream) is described in culture ponds of the French Atlantic coast. This technique requires predator eradication, phyto- and zooplankton stimulation by fertilizers, before the introduction of the first larval stage. For sea bass, 5 to 10 fingerlings in extensive systems and 70 to 100 fingerlings in semi-extensive systems have been produced per cubic metre. The growth in weight was estimated from the end of the larval stage to 100 days old. The fast development requires weaning onto pellets as early as 20-25 days old. Preliminary studies were carried out on larval otoliths from these extensive experiments, from intensive rearing and from field samples. Otolith increments, wide and well-defined under extensive conditions, were considered as an index of the good growth results. Survival at harvest could be improved by fingerling traps. Poor results for sea bream may come from unfavourable environmental conditions (pH) at the first feeding stage.

This article is part of Marine Science Symposia Volume 192 - "The ecology and management aspects of extensive mariculture". To access other articles from this volume, please click on the keyword MSS Vol. 192.