Environment
"L’Etang de Thau" : an outstanding environment
Ponds are coastal expanses of water connected to the sea by channels known as "graus" in French. Lagoons are exceptional sites for several seasons. They make an important contribution to physical and ecological equilibrium of a coast by regulating flood tides and feeding water table. Lagoons are also real reservoirs of biodiversity and is highly productive, used as nurseries for many aquatic species as well as shelter for birds, among very characteristic wildlands (see the lagoon networking site ). "Etang de Thau" is the largest and deepest pond in Languedoc-Roussillon.
Shellfish play an important role in the overall balance of the lagoon :
It prevents water becoming too rich (shellfish turn nutrients into flesh and shell, and are then harvested).
As it filters water, it makes it clearer, which encourages the growth of zostera sea grass, home to a wide variety of animal species including the long-snouted seahorse, Thau’s mascot.
(environment and shellfish farming brochure, lagoon network center)
We are proud to uphold and maintain this tradition of farming shellfish, which also involves taking care of our lagoon.
An innovative, 100%-ecological production technique
Traditionally, young oysters are stuck one by one on ropes, then, hung on above the pond until harvesting. Since 2003, Médithau has been developing a highly innovative rearing process which produces high-quality oysters : it maintains the use of this very specific and traditional technique of "sticking", and adds regular dewatering process to keep the oysters out of water. The idea is to artificially reproduce tide phenomena (which is non-existent in the Mediterranean sea). This process improves the quality of the oyster, both in terms of shell cleanliness and hardness and in terms of the taste and consistency of flesh. The sun ultraviolet rays remove superfluous flora and turn the oyster shells pink ! As part of this project, Médithau has chosen to equip its trays with solar panels, therefore it uses renewable energy.
Protecting our producers’ rearing grounds
Caring for the rearing grounds of our partner producers has always been a key concern for Médithau. The Bleu Soleil charter formulated with the GIE Mont-St-Clair in 2000 commits producers to "support and promote the work and technical distinctives of local traditional fishing methods which respect environment and are compatible with sustainable use of natural resources."
As part of a review of our specifications in the course of ISO certification, we have now decided to add a paragraph to commit producers to preserve their rearing environment.
