PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The Life project was set up within a study programme to learn about and to restore the biological quality of the Brest harbour¿s waters. This environmental programme was the direct consequence of the rapid and continued decrease, since the late 1950s, in the amounts of scallops harvested. At the same time there has been a continued increase in nitrate levels in all the streams flowing into the harbour, making the production of drinking water more and more difficult. All the projects started in the wider context of ¿Brest Harbour¿ programme, had two complementary aims : - to harmonize all the environment-oriented policies and actions in the geographical area concerned ; - to carry out some experiments, to perfect innovative and efficient techniques, to fight against pollution and to change the present behaviour in order to promote a greater respect for the environment. The Life project involved four pilot actions : - characterizing and treatment of rainwaters in the coastal basins to reduce their impact on bathing and shellfish farming areas (Stang-Alar rainwater basin) ; - setting up different procedures to reduce agricultural and human pollution (Plougastel district) ; - changing farming practises through agreements with local farmers (Landivisiau district) ; - creation of an experimental scallop farm aimed at restocking the sea (Le Tinduff district). Besides these four actions, two kinds of side activities were carried out: - information and communication actions aimed at local authorities, farmers and shellfish farmers ; elaboration of technical guides giving results of the experimental actions ; - scientific follow-up work done with the help of an International Scientific Committee.