Technique de culture pour les cotes bretonnes de l'algue alimentaire Undaria pinnatifida. Tableau de marché - étude économique

Introduction Starting in 1986, the ANVAR contributed well appreciated financial support in order to set up an original seeding technique characterized by artificial seeding production in a laboratory. This advantageous new way of seeding, i.e. independency from nature, yield increase and true competitiveness compared to traditional methods, nevertheless requires strict adherence to a procedure progressively elaborated during numerous trials in laboratory as well as at sea. The program ended in July 1989 after testing the cultivation protocol on a 2 hectare exploitation scale, in order to better detect what could be improved to greatly increase productivity, facilitate the work of the harvester and to better adapt the operating mode to environmental conditions. The object of this note is to present the full procedure. With this type of cultivation, details, more than great principles, often condition final results. Harvesting will be good if all operations are successively carried out with success. But, one missing detail can strongly affect the yield. We will therefore follow each level of the process step by step, starting with the laboratory where seeding is prepared, up to the time where the harvest is brought into the harbour. For better comprehension, we will review the biology and reproduction cycle of the Undarla. As well as, in order to better appreciate method differences, a brief description of the traditional method used in Asia and problems that would arise if used on Atlantic shores. We will attempt to present the economic analysis of Undarla cultivation, while integrating on one hand, hydrological and social conditions found on Brittany's shores and on the other hand, yields and production nutritive quality on a 2 hectare exploitation scale.