ESTIMATION DU STOCK NATUREL DE L'ALGUE BRUNE Padina pavonica (L.) THIVY EN TUNISIE SEPTENTRIONALE (CAP ZEBIB)

Estimation of the brown alga Padina pavonica (L.) Thivy natural stock in septentrional Tunisia (Cap Zebib): The identification of an active ingredient being useful in osseous therapy propelled the brown alga Padina pavonica to the row of economic interest algae, very appraised in Tunisia and worldwide. The evaluation of the potentialities of this species in a workshop site, Cap Zebib (North-eastern of Tunisia), was initiated to clarify decision-makers on the inventory position, so that the authorization for the collection, in the natural environment, of a certain tonnage of this alga is granted with full knowledge of the facts. In Cap Zebib the brown alga Padina pavonica is localised in the zone ranging between 0 and 10 m, the natural biomass available is evaluated in 112,5 tons of fresh matter, that is to say 25 tons of dry matter (22,5%). The output is of 0,850 t/ha. By considering the fact that 94% of the total biomass (106 tons of the fresh matter) of the area ranging between 0 and 6 m of depth, are regarded as being the zone of optimal exploitation with an output is of 1,3 t/ha.