Arcachon oysters: after poisoning during the holidays, sales fell by 50%

According to the regional shellfish committee, which hopes for promised compensation but is mainly seeking a “restart” of consumption.

“This is on average 50% less” since January 19 compared with the same period last year, Olivier Laban, president of the Regional Committee for Shellfish Farming of Arcachon-Aquitaine (CRCAA), told AFP on Wednesday.

Crisis for several reasons

“Obviously, those who have been sick will think twice” before starting to eat again, he lamented, while pointing to other reasons for this “crisis”: “There is a downturn in the economy, deplorable weather, a fairly general downturn. »

In late December, several ban orders were issued along the French coast following cases of mass poisoning from shellfish contaminated with norovirus, particularly in the Arcachon region, where about 8,000 tons of oysters are produced annually (almost 10% of national production).

Oyster farmers in Arcachon estimated lost gross profits at approximately €5 million.

Updated data should be sent next week to public services to clarify compensation needs, but the terms of the assistance are still “to be worked out” from an administrative point of view, explained Olivier Laban, who does not expect the first payments to begin “before September.” or October.”

“The best help will be a good recovery, which nature offers us a beautiful spring and summer favorable for oyster growth, and for it to begin again,” he said.

The CRCAA has also planned an information campaign called “We are opening” with the support of the New Aquitaine region to launch the new season on April 6 at the pool with tastings, live bands and a “celebratory atmosphere.”

An investigation into “ecocide” has been opened

On the judicial front, the CRCAA confirmed that it intends to file a final assessment “in the coming days” with the administrative court of Bordeaux to determine liability for the pollution of the waters of the Arcachon basin.

After several complaints, the Bordeaux prosecutor’s office opened a criminal case in early January, in particular under the article “ecocide”.

As part of the final environmental procedure, which is due to be considered this week, the prosecutor has requested a fine of 5,000 euros per day if measures are not taken to improve the sanitary network of the pool.