Population dynamics of Ruditapes philippinarum (A. Adams & Reeve, 1850) after the major ecological crisis of 2018 of the Berre lagoon, southern France.

This article focuses on the population dynamics and recovery potential of the Manila clam, *Ruditapes philippinarum*, in the Berre lagoon (France) following a severe anoxic ecological crisis in 2018 that caused a 73% decline in clam stock and led to fishery closure. Through in situ monitoring from 2018 to 2020, the study determined that clams reach sexual maturity between 20 and 23.6 mm shell length, reproduce continuously from March to October, and grow relatively rapidly, requiring about 1.5 years to reach the minimum catch size of 30 mm. Mortality rates were high and increased with clam size, likely influenced by environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations and episodes of hypoxia/anoxia rather than predation or disease. The findings suggest that, provided favorable environmental conditions persist, the clam population in the Berre lagoon can recover within a few years after such disturbances, supporting sustainable fishery management efforts.