While oyster farmers achieve half of their annual turnover in the run-up to Christmas, they are also particularly exposed to theft.
An observation pushing the prefect of Gironde to renew the monitoring system for oyster beds in the Arcachon basin.
Already deployed at sea and on land, the gendarmes are capable of detecting the smallest boat from the air.
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They protect the treasure of the Arcachon basin. As oysters are particularly coveted during the holidays, the risk of theft is greatest. “We will look to see if there are still boats present, to possibly discern whether they are oyster farmers or other people who have nothing to do there”declares one of the gendarmes monitoring the 3,000 parks in the basin from the air. “At the same time, we warn the nautical brigade which is equipped with a boat to check them”he continues in the report at the top of this article.
When it happens at the last moment, it’s complicated to restart production
Laurent Bidart, oyster farmer
Increased surveillance which helps deter most thieves. Laurent Bidart, an oyster farmer for 35 years, has already suffered theft for a loss of 15,000 euros. Every year, he fears reliving the same situation in December, a period during which he achieves half of his annual turnover. “When we suffer a theft of oysters, it’s three years of production in the air. The problem is there. When it happens at the last moment, it’s complicated to restart production or order again”he laments.
To combat theft, oyster farmers can also count on the work of the nautical brigade. Every morning, she stops the smallest boat in the Arcachon basin. “We will check the boat, see how many professionals are on board, observe its merchandise, make contact with it”indicates Commander Jérôme Goussard. “It’s a check, but it’s also an opportunity to get useful information”specifies the gendarme.
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“It’s like on the road. If there are no radars, everyone drives fast. There, if there is no surveillance, there are thefts”reacts another oyster farmer in the report above. He had 800 kg of goods stolen a few years ago. “The job that the police do is perfect”he admits.
According to the brigade, the thieves are essentially professionals in the sector. “When we talk about thefts of several tons of oysters, you have to have knowledge of the place, and steal oysters which are immediately salable. These are therefore premeditated thefts,” notes Jérôme Goussard. Two years ago, this method allowed them to find the trace of an oyster farmer responsible for a major theft, and to get their hands on several hundred kilos of stolen oysters.
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