Fish Observatory

The French Observatory for Research on Diadromous Fish in Coastal Stream (ORE DiaPFC) aims to investigate the response of migratory fish populations to environmental changes (climate change and agricultural-related changes) in these rivers.

Today, the ORE DiaPFC gather population monitoring data for several diadromous fish species (Atlantic salmon, brown trout, European eels, shads, lampreys, etc.). These species have suffered strong declines due to human activities over the last decades and are an iconic part of the biodiversity of coastal streams. Coastal streams are now considered as the main refuge for anadromous fish species, which are virtually extirpated from large river systems.

The Research Infrastructure is composed of four rivers of the Atlantic and English Channel coast: the rivers Bresle and Oir in Normandy (Seine Maritime and Manche counties), the Scorff in Brittany (Morbihan county), the Nivelle in the Basque Country (Pyrénées Atlantiques county). In these four rivers, migratory fish population monitoring take place all year round since the early 80’s at dedicated field stations. Biological, physical and chemical parameters are also routinely collected. These rivers are linked with experimental facilities in Rennes and Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle. Individual-based demo-genetic simulators for in-silico experimentation on virtual populations supplement are also part of this infrastructure.

The ORE DiaPFC provides the TEMPO network with its database, including phenology data, which is unique and common to all sites and species. This database is made up of historical data series from around 40 years of continuous observation of various coastal rivers. In addition, it publishes numerous datasets in GBIF, some of which have been the subject of datapapers (Marchand et al. 2017).

Managers : 

• Frédéric MARCHAND, Coordinator, UE U3E, INRAE, Rennes, frederic.marchand@inrae.fr

• Etienne PREVOST, Coordinator, UMR ECOBIOP, INRAE, Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle, etienne.prevost@inrae.fr