SPIDER
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Monitoring of spider crab populations in the Normano-Breton Gulf, and the identification and development of solutions to mitigate the impact of predation on mussel farming |
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Since 2018, populations of spider crabs (Maja brachydactyla) have been increasing sharply in the Normandy-Brittany Gulf, leading to:
- Increased predation on mussels in mussel farms.
- Economic difficulties for the fishing industry due to a declining market.
The SPIDER Project and its 8 local partners have a twofold objective in response to this growing population of spider crabs in the western Channel. First, the project aims to study and characterize the ecology and biology of the spider crab in this area, as very little is known about the species and potential changes in its life cycle since the most recent state-of-the-art research are possible. Second, the project aims to analyze the impact of deterrence techniques to limit the presence of spider crabs in mussel farming areas, with the goal of providing producers with tools to manage and mitigate this phenomenon.
This project, which addresses an ongoing human-wildlife conflict, draws on a variety of research disciplines to cover a broad range of questions regarding the life cycle of the spider crab in the western English Channel and the impact of that life cycle. All methods of spider crab fishing (traps, nets, dredges, trawls), all past and present fisheries surveys, and all bibliographic resources will be combined with supplementary sampling to provide the data necessary to achieve the project’s scientific objectives.
The project is organized into two research work packages and one outreach work package:
WP1: Study of the spider crab population
Analysis of population dynamics and ecological changes.
Monitoring of the reproductive cycle and migrations.
Study of feeding behavior and its impact on local resources.
WP2: Measures to limit spider-crab presence in mussel farming areas
Evaluation of mitigation methods and their effectiveness.
Analysis of spider crab presence dynamics near mussel production.
WP3: Communication and knowledge transfer
Sharing results with mussel farming professionals, fishermen and scientists.
Partners
- 1. Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (Ifremer) ;
- 2. Comité Régional de la Conchyliculture Normandie & Hauts de France (CRCNORHF) ;
- 3. Comité Régional de la Conchyliculture Bretagne Nord (CRCBN) ;
- 4. Comité Régional des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins de Bretagne (CRPMEM Bretagne) ;
- 5. Comité Régional des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins de Normandie (CRPMEM Normandie) ;
- 6. Comité Départemental des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins d’Ille & Vilaine (CDPMEM 35) ;
- 7. Comité Départemental des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins des Côtes d’Armor (CDPMEM 22) ;
- 8. Synergie Mer Et Littoral (SMEL) ;
- 9. U.E Fonds Européen pour les Affaires Maritimes et la Pêche (FEAMPA) ;
- 10. Ministère de la Transition Écologique, de l’Énergie, du Climat et de la Prévention des Risques ;
People involved
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BESNARD Anne-Laure, Technician Phone : +33 2 23 48 54 43 Email : anne-laure.besnard(at)inrae.fr |
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LAURANS Martial, Chercheur(e) Email : martial.laurans@ifremer.fr |
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ROVERE Mickael, Permanent Phone : 0298224992 Email : mickael.rovere@ifremer.fr |
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WOILLEZ Mathieu, Phone : 02 29 00 85 65 Email : mathieu.woillez@ifremer.fr |
Funding and Support
Le projet SPIDER dispose d’un budget total de 1.42 millions d’euros, dont 0.79 millions sont financés par le FEAMPA, 0.34 millions sont financés par l’État et 0.28 millions proviennent d’un auto-financement des partenaires du projet.