Seaducer: taking French oyster innovation to Hiroshima and beyond

The future of the industry

Looking ahead from their now globalised perspective, Charbonneau sees a fork in the road. Some oyster producers are still betting on volume, despite razor-thin margins and unstable markets. Others, especially newer entrants, are turning towards quality – and seeing better outcomes.

The sector also faces deep structural challenges: labour shortages, disease pressure, undervalued products and an aging workforce. For Seaducer, part of the solution to this complex puzzle lies in tools that de-risk operations and reduce physical demands.

“We see a growing need for integrated systems. And looking a little bit further down the line, we are starting to imagine ways to shelter shellfish from recurring phenomena and environmental risks such as viruses, biotoxins and acidification,” Charbonneau points out. “It’s still too early for us to share details, but just as we work to support farmers now, we also want to start planning for what they may face in 10, 20, or 30 years.”

When asked where new companies could step in to support oyster farmers and regenerative aquaculture, Charbonneau doesn’t hesitate. While Seaducer is committed to gear and system innovation, he believes there’s a growing need for complementary services – especially as the industry begins intersecting with other sectors like energy and infrastructure.

“On some of our products like the SeaLadder, there’s real potential for synergy with floating solar farm projects,” he notes. 

While Seaducer does have basic photovoltaic expertise, Charbonneau sees this as a ripe area for specialised companies to step in and take further.

Similarly, Charbonneau suggests that offshore wind infrastructure – which is expanding rapidly in Europe – could provide physical platforms or shared logistics for new kinds of aquaculture, especially in areas where marine space is contested or expensive. Startups that can bridge the operational and ecological demands of such hybrid setups may find eager partners in both the aquaculture and energy sectors.

For Charbonneau, the path is clear: support the shift to smarter, more sustainable systems, and help farmers focus on what they do best – growing.

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