Robert Crusson is an expert in shellfish culture. In 1981 on finishing university where he obtained a master’s degree in Animal Biology specialising in biological oceanography, he set up business in Southern Brittany as a shellfish farmer. His farm specialised in the production of clams (Ruditapes spp.) with nursery and ongrowing tanks and mussels (Mytilus edulis), settlement and ongrowing off shore on ropes.

From 1986 to 1990 he designed and managed a hatchery and park ongrowing facilities for clams and flat oysters (Ostrea edulis).

From 1994 to 2001 Robert Crusson was technical manager of OSTRAS PATAGONICAS, an Argentinean company and designed facilities for the hatchery, nursery and deep-sea ongrowing (on the seabed and on ropes) and organised procedures for commercialisation to the EU. He set up the first shellfish farm in Argentina (Patagonia) principal production being : flat oysters, clams and Pacific oysters. In this context he also implemented holding tank facilities in Buenos Aires in Argentina and at Punta Del Este in Uruguay in view the of market distribution of live products.
Since 1990, his company which includes a hatchery, nursery using tanks and parks along the seashore, has specialised in the production of clam and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas).

Robert Crusson has developed national and international expertise by taking part in development programmes and missions. He designed and executed the feasibility study for a shellfish purification station in accordance with European standards. He participated in the study and design of a hatchery and intensive turbot farm and an aquaculture development project in the Southern Brittany marsh lands where he also designed a part computer assisted industrial hatchery for shellfish.

On the international scene he has taken part in numerous studies and private and government projects (World Bank, FAO, European Union, …) in Mexico, China, Tunisia ….

Finally, Robert Crusson participates in technical development programmes with research institutions (IFREMER, …) working on various species such as scallops (Pecten maximus) and abalone (Haliotis tuberculata). In this context he has taken part in trials focusing on the combined rearing of shellfish and shrimp (Penaeus japonicus) and fine tuned a technique for the production of aquatic vegetals (Salicornia spp ).