Introduction into France of the Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas)

The Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) has been introduced in France on a large scale to replace cultivation of the Portuguese oyster (Crassostrea angulata), affected by a viral disease. The importation took place from 1971 to 1975, with broodstock coming from British Columbia (Canada) and spat from Japan. Good growth rate and success of the natural setting on the French Atlantic coast attested to the success of this implantation, with a production which reached 80000 t by 1976. The precautionary measures associated with this transfer Iimited the implantation of an introduced fauna, 15 years after, to: Balanus amphitrite, Aiptasia pulchella and, on the Mediterranean coast, Undaria pinnatifida and Laminaria japonica. The authors also discuss the possible role of Crassostrea gigas in spreading the viral disease.