Services

MEB (Mollusk experimental platform of Bouin) is located in the heart of the oyster hatchery/nursery region in the Bay of Bourgneuf. MEB is an experimental mollusc platform dedicated:

• 1) to the growing of genetic lines of bivalve spat for experimental purposes and

• 2) to the testing of seawater treatment processes against chemical and biological (pathogen) contaminants.

Animals are kept under realistic farming conditions and fed live phytoplankton. The experimental area is 2000 m2 divided into three-unit areas. ENA: the experimental nursery area includes 2-7 m3 raceways each containing 13 sieves (2 lines/sieve) supplied with phytoplankton-enriched (filtered/UV-treated) seawater at ambient temperature.

• EBA: the experimental breeding area for controlled contaminations consists of a 15 m2 room supplied with controlled seawater quality (filtered, UV-treated and temperature-controlled) equipped with tanks varying from 5 to 800 L capacity. Sewage can be treated using a high-performance medium lamp UV device.

• WER: the water treatment experimental room is 40 m2 and designed to fit seawater treatment devices supplied continuously with controlled seawater quality.

MEB allows producing large numbers of bivalve spats with varying genetic background and testing seawater treatment processes. MEB hosts scientists and shellfish farmers to carry out R&D studies.

Support offered

The TA user will be supported by the local IFREMER staff, and a local research scientist will be appointed as first contact person. The supporting staff will advise the TA users about the IFREMER regulations, the experimental set-up, zootechnical procedures and maintenance in compliance with animal experimentation laws and regulations, device utilisation and sample storage.

In addition, the administrative staff will assist in finding accommodation and transportation. The TA user will get access to a computer with internet access, scientific databases and local laboratories.

Modality of access

Modality of access cost is Combined costs. Preference will be given for TA user to be present on site during the experiments.

For longer experiments, the TA users should be present at the beginning and the end of the project for a minimum of 5 consecutive days. The TA user is responsible for the daily running of the experiment, coordination of the sampling and data analyses, in close relationship with local technical staff.

Units of access include technical assistance with tasks that cannot be performed by the TA user. . For MEB, the unit of access is m²/week