Phytoplankton: what are the health risks?
For several days, fishing sites have been temporarily closed in Brittany due to phytoplankton contamination.
Are phytoplankton potentially dangerous to your health?
Phytoplankton (or microalgae) is a microorganism at the base of the shellfish food chain. Only certain species of phytoplankton produce toxins .
Be ready for the next big tides:
Find advice and best practices: Best practices | Responsible Shore Fishing
Information flyers are available from your local tourist office: Flyers available
High tides in the coming months :
WEATHER WARNING ALERT
Several Breton departments are in a state of meteorological vigilance for several risks including waves and submersion and flooding.
The heavy rains of recent weeks can also lead to beach pollution through the dumping of untreated wastewater into the sea. Shellfish can then be contaminated by fecal germs or noroviruses.
In view of these risks for your physical and health safety, fishing on foot is not recommended for the next few days
Be careful when fishing!
The heavy rains of recent weeks coupled with the ongoing gastroenteritis epidemic pose risks for fishermen on foot.
Reminders of good practices:
Consult the interactive map before any fishing!
Be ready for the next big tides:
Find advice and best practices: Best practices | Responsible Shore Fishing
Information flyers are available from your local tourist office: Flyers available
High autumn tides :
Following the heavy rains of recent days, certain sanitation networks are likely to discharge untreated water into the environment.
There is therefore a risk of contamination of coastal waters and shellfish.
From Sunday 27 to Wednesday 30 of October takes place the last tide with the most important tidal coefficients.
Therefore, the Health Agency of Brittany renews its health recommendations because shellfish gathering in unsanitary or temporarily contaminated areas can have health consequences:
The Brittany Health Agency and Ifremer publish the 2019 edition of sanitary control reports of shellfish gathering sites in Côtes d'Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine and Morbihan. These reports review the sanitary quality of beds monitored in these three departments over the period 2016-2018.
Find out the reports in the "Studies & publications" section.
From Saturday 28 September to Monday 1 of October takes place the second equinox tide of the year, where tidal coefficients are the most important of the year.
Shellfish gatherers are particularly waiting for the equinox tides as the sea withdraws far away. This is an opportunity to explore areas that are generally little discovered but also a particularly good time for shellfish gathering.