It's a love that has lasted since the 1990s. Christine and Jérôme Détienne fell in love with seahorses, to the point of devoting their entire professional life to it.
This couple is at the head of Écurie Marine, a one-of-a-kind approved seahorse farm, previously located in Normandy, in Calvados.
The only one in France on a professional basis.
Last October, they began their move to Charente-Maritime, precisely to Esnandes, an oyster farming area north of La Rochelle.
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In this clear landscape, breeders have come to seek quality sea water for their proteges.
"Here we have our channel, access is easy", emphasizes Jérôme Détienne.
About 500 seahorses are currently growing in the stable, ideally in water at 24-25 degrees since they are tropical water species.
With his wife, they reproduce here the food chain of these fragile marine animals.
"They have a short intestine and eat very slowly," says the specialist.
Regulated trade
Officially fully established in December, aquaculturists cultivate algae, produce zooplankton and phytoplankton, raise copepods – small parasites – and also grow mysis, shrimps that seahorses love.
“On the coasts of Charente-Maritime there is a local species of mysis that we will be able to grow in our outdoor basins,” he continues.
Everything is calculated to best feed these sea horses measuring… 6 small millimeters at birth.
These endangered animals are protected by the Washington Convention.
Their trade is strictly regulated.
The clients of the Écurie Marine are mainly aquariums, including that of La Rochelle, but also a few handpicked individuals, provided they are informed.
The installation in Charente-Maritime delights the couple, who have already planned to welcome trainees in aquaculture training from the neighboring establishment of Bourcefranc-le-Chapus.
