Note préliminaire sur la palourde (tapes decussatus L.) de l'étang de Thau

Tapes decussates (Linnaeus), due to its economic value, is heavily fished in the Thau Lagoon. There are two types of fishing practices.First, "sight" fishing, the most common and highest paying practise is also the most selective.The fisher is equipped with a light flat-bottomed boat "néga fol" and lies at one of the ends with his face just on the surface of the water. To avoid backwash or small waves that would reduce visibility, the fisher uses an observation chamber: a cylindrical tube fitted with transparent glass at one end and the whole device is fastened around the neck with an elastic band. In his right hand, he holds a trident with long tines to dig into the sand; using a small circular net held in his left hand, he can harvest clams without even leaving his horizontal position."Sight" fishing is practiced at depths between 1.5 to 4 m, beyond which visibility is insufficient....