Oyster firm is first ASC farm in France
A FRENCH oyster farm has become the first aquaculture site in the country to achieve Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certification.
Huitres Favier Earl received a cluster certification for its La Tremblade and Paimpol units. The company was awarded the certificate in recognition of its responsible environmental and social practices from an independent accredited certifier, after an audit to certify that the farm meets the ASC Bivalve Standards.
‘We are glad to receive ASC certification,’ said Philippe Favier, Hitres Favier Earl director. ‘The quality of the natural environment has a direct impact on our business. The oysters are our sentinels. They inform us on the good conditions of the marine environment.
‘We are in the front line, and we know what can happen if the water quality declines. We feel it is important to respect nature and it is therefore natural for us to join the ASC.’
Huitres Favier Earl is located on the left bank of the Seudre River, in the heart of the Marennes Oleron Basin, in south-west France.
The farm comprises more than 300,000 m2 of sea beds and 160,000 m2 of ‘Claires’ (where fresh and sea water blend together), which makes it possible to permanently shelter 15 to 20 million oysters at different stages of rearing.
The French aquaculture sector was one of the first to develop in Europe and France has become one of the leading countries in terms of volume. The industry is mainly focused on oysters and mussels.