According to the state maritime research institute IFREMER, producers in the country's biggest oyster-growing area the Arcachon basin are reporting around 19,000 larvae -- technically known as spats -- per tray, compared to an average of just 45 last year.

"This record explosion is the result of the summer's exceptional weather conditions. With water temperature between 25 and 28 degrees compared to 20 degrees in 2002, reproduction has been especially abundant," said IFREMER official Clause Pellier.

"It is good news because it means we can replenish stocks right across France," said Marc Druart, president of the the Arcachon oyster-producers' association.

But fears of a Triffid-like invasion of molluscs are groundless. By harvest time next spring, each tray will hold at most a few hundred spats and the rest are destined to a watery end. "The strong will snuff out the weak," said Druard.

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