Services

PEMP (Palavas experimental marine platform) is located along the Mediterranean Sea near Montpellier and consists of 4000 m2 dedicated to studying finfish performances at the larval, juvenile or grow-out phase.

• MES: the marine ecotolerance section includes 2 sets of 16 tanks (1 m3 each, flow-through or recirculated). Tanks are fitted with automatic feeders and faecal traps to fully control feed intake and uneaten feed. FLA: from larvae to adult fish. This section allows to grow fish from egg to commercial size for any type of long-term experiment in genetics and genomics. This facility consists of two thermally isolated rooms with 8 or 9 tanks (0,5 m3 each), one room with 16 tanks (1,5 m3 each) and another one with 6 tanks (5 m3 each, recirculated).

• For MES and FLA, light intensity and temperature can be controlled (0 -500 lux, artificial dawn and dusk, 13-25°C), and seawater is filtered (up to 30μm), UV-treated and degassed or O2-enriched. Finally, the IMTA platform allows the evaluation of performances and bioremediation capacity of different species associated with different compartments.

• The first part of the IMTA platform is composed of 6 independent units made of 4-connected compartments: (a) a 4m3 artificial aquatic ecosystem and its treatment system (particle trap, microbial bioreactor, gas column, UV control, thermic control), (b) an outdoor primary producer pond (1.5m3), (c) another artificial aquatic system (0.4m3), and (d) a secondary consumer aquatic system (0.5m3). All compartments are possibly linked to each other with adjustable fluxes. The second part of the IMTA platform is composed of 24 independent tanks (60l). Salinity, temperature, pH and light are controlled.

PEMP allows to complete any kind of experiments in zootechny, physiology, ethology, genetics and ecology, for seawater fish at different stages of development. PEMP offers training and TA services to AQUASERV.

Bioresources available

The main species on site is European seabass from eggs to juveniles and adult fish. A quarantine zone allows it to work with many other mediterranean species (from cephalopods to crustaceans, mollusks and fish). Rotifers, cryoplancton and artemias are also reared on site.

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, devices 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 users 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 PEMP, the TNA project should last at least 8 weeks and the unit of access is m3/month.