How much is Brittany invaded?

The state will have to compensate the family of a jogger who died in 2016 in a mud invaded by green algae in the mouth of the gouessant (Côtes-d’Armor). Nine years later, Franceinfo takes stock of the presence of these potentially fatal algae in the region.

The Nantes administrative court of appeal condemned Tuesday, June 24, the state to compensate the family of a jogger who died in 2016 on Tuesday, in a mud in a mood invaded by green algae, at the mouth of the Gouessant (Côtes-d’Armor), in the bay of Saint-Brieuc. The courtyard “retains responsibility for the fault of the State, due to its deficiencies in the implementation of European and national regulations intended to protect the waters from any pollution of agricultural origin”She explains in a press release.

For the first time, justice therefore recognizes the link between the death of a human and these algae rejected by industrial farming. According to the courtyard, Jean-René Auffray, 50 years old and follower of Trail, found dead in Hillion on September 8, 2016, in the vase of the Gouessant estuary, which flows into the bay of Saint-Brieuc, was intoxicated by these algae, which released a toxic gas by decomposing.

The State will have to pay 277,000 euros to the wife of the jogger, with interest, 15,000 euros to each of the three children of the victim and 9,000 euros to his brother.

But these algae continue to proliferate on the Breton coasts. In recent weeks, 600 hectares of these coasts have been covered with green algae, the equivalent of 800 football fields, according to the study center and valuation of algae. They have multiplied more than usual, after months particularly sunny on Brittany, light stimulating their growth.

The bays of Saint-Brieuc, Douarnenez and Saint-Michel-en-Grève concentrate the vast majority of the problem, but the situation will certainly improve this summer. Indeed, as the flow of rivers is low, after rainy rains than usual, they bring less nitrates from the farms to the ribs. This should clearly go back the green algae.

Overall, the quantity of green algae tends to drop in recent years. A fragile trend, with very good years, others much less, depending on the weather. For example last year, observers counted a quarter of green algae less compared to the average of the last 25 years.

It is thanks to the fall in half of the concentration of nitrates in Breton rivers since the 2000s, according to the Center for the Study and Valorization of Algae. But these algae always poison the lives of thousands of residents and walkers, in the bay of Saint-Brieuc in particular, or they remain very numerous, each year.