AARC
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Atlantic Aquatic Resource Conservation |
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Research
Context and Issues
The Atlantic Aquatic Resource Conservation (AARC) project follows on from the Atlantic Salmon Arc Project (ASAP), 2004 – 2007. ASAP was a multi-agency, international consortium which researched the population structure of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) across the southern part of its range in Western Europe (from the southern limit of its range in Spain/Portugal, northwards to Scotland). This was an important task as the Atlantic salmon is facing a steep decline in numbers, whilst being managed has a significant game and tourism resource.
The Atlantic Aquatic Resource Conservation (AARC) project (2008 - 2014) has grown on the biological and ecological basis acquired during the ASAP program, and performed a new approach devoted to river and migratory fishes habitat protection and its social and cultural Euro-Atlantic context. AARC combines high quality science with practical help for rivers around the Atlantic coast. This is achieved by working at the appropriate scale in five countries: France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and the UK.
The AARC project partnership will cooperate intensively to deliver a strategy for Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), which will be demonstrated across the Atlantic Area, in targeted river basins, networked by regional/river observatories in each member state. A central focus will be culturally and economically important migratory fish species that link water marine, coastal and freshwater resources, which are currently managed separately.
Objectives
- Improve the long-term protection of fisheries resources (migratory species) through transnational cooperation
- Integrate best practises for ecological management and restoration of lands, rivers, estuaries, coastal and marine ecosystems across political boundaries
- Develop and deliver an international accredited program in Integrated Water Resource Management involving all partners.
Methodology
The project is based on several approaches including:
- the Ecosystem Approach, which encompasses economics, societal choice and ecology to address complex environmental issues
- the Integrated Water Resource Management that involves the many different stakeholders in water resource management.
Population genetic analyses of migratory species will be performed to illuminate the conservation management of these species. For example, genetics can be used to find out where fish are going when they migrate to sea and to delineate management units.
Outcomes of large-scales and long-term programs of ecological restoration will be analysed for editing best practices for the management of aquatic ecosystems.
In addition to the permanent staff of the CREA team, two postdoctoral fellows were involved in the AARC project in the ESE lab: - Jérôme Le Gentil, postdoc (2010-2012) funded by the AARC project - Sabrina Le Cam, postdoc (2009-2012) funded by the Plan Loire Grandeur Nature
Results
In our Ecology and Ecosystem Health research unit, the AARC project allowed studying the genetic structure of French populations of the following diadromous species: Atlantic salmon, sea trout, allis shad, twaite shad, sea lamprey and river lamprey. Results revealed important impacts of stocking on the genetic integrity of salmonid populations and allowed the delimitation of management units for shads and lampreys.
The AARC project also led to the development of new perspectives in restoration ecology of aquatic ecosystems given the consideration of several spatial scales including the landscape. The collaboration among academics researchers from our unit and the other countries involved in AARC also allowed the development of three Erasmus Intensive Programs given in Oviedo (2012), Cork (2013) and Rennes (2014).
People involved
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BERNEZ Ivan, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 55 41 Email : ivan.bernez@institut-agro.fr |
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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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EVANNO Guillaume, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 54 45 Email : guillaume.evanno*at*inrae.fr |
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HUTEAU Dominique, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 54 42 Email : dominique.huteau@inrae.fr |
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LAUNEY Sophie, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 52 35 Email : sophie.launey@inrae.fr |
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ROUSSEL Jean-Marc, Scientist Phone : +33 2 23 48 57 75 Email : jean-marc.roussel@inrae.fr |
Funding and Support
The AARC project is funded by the EC Interreg Atlantic Area Transnational Programme