Les ressources vivantes exploitables du lac de Bizerte : Etat actuel et potentialites (première partie)

Abstract

Shellfish production in Bizerte Lake (Tunisia) is very weak (average 120 t/yr) compared with its potential, estimated by the authors as being between 10 000-20 000 t/yr. A programme for the development of shellfish farming companies on a family scale, SME or other, is possible in the lake and its neighbouring open sea (zone of Cape Zebib). The current annual average fishery production is 86.7 t/yr, with a total productivity of 12.4 kg/ha/yr. Fishery management, the introduction of extensive aquaculture and regular seeding of the lagoon are some useful possibilities to improve its resources. The natural collection of gracilarian red algae does not offer any exceptional potential which could increase the profitability of an extraction industry. The intervention by man with aquaculture is necessary in order to improve considerably this potential. For all these above reasons, INSTM carried out a multidisciplinary study on Bizerte Lake, which should contribute to a better exploitation and preservation of this water body.