Introduced to France in the 1980s, the Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum) is an important economic resource for coastal areas. In Arcachon bay, professional fishermen have been catching between 150 and 250 t/year in recent years. In addition to European regulations, which set a minimum catch size at 35 mm, complementary management measures are established by local professional fishing organizations within a co-management framework involving these organizations, scientific bodies and the Administration. For the Arcachon bay, the fisheries committees involved are the Comité Départemental des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins de Gironde (CDPMEM 33) and the Comité Régional des Pêches Maritimes et des Élevages Marins de Nouvelle-Aquitaine (CRPMEM NA).

The first survey was undertaken in 2000 in response to declining yields and product valorization difficulties encountered by professional fishermen. This first survey covered only part of the deposit. Since then, regular campaigns (every 2 or 3 years) have been carried out, covering the entire exploited area. The Laboratory Environnement Ressources d'Arcachon (LER AR) is heavily involved in these campaigns, working alongside professional organizations.

The aims of these campaigns are to collect the data needed to establish a diagnosis of the clam population status (including the three species Ruditapes philippinarum, Ruditapes decussatus and Polititapes aureus) in the bay, and to monitor changes. It is based on standardized indicators.

The evolution of these indicators and the knowledge acquired through research work are used by Ifremer to issue recommendations or advice to the structures in charge of managing these resources. In addition, the use of equipment at sea is optimized with the collection of other data to study pathologies, trophic and spatial competition, environment, etc.