The Pacific Mani la clam (Tapes philippinamm) was introduccd in France be tween 1972 and 1975 by the SATMAR Corporation , and in England through the Conwy Laboratory in 1980. Initially. spat were introduced and later adults, both from the west coast of North America (Puget Sound area). Aquaculture production in France started from adults. Until 1975, experiments with the spat were conducted at half-industrial scale and research activities and plans to transfer the knowledge were set up. The breeding began at first on the French Atlantic coast in intertidal areas and at the same time in oyster ponds. Characteristics of the new cu lture are presented in th is paper. The diseases met wilh in larval production and growout are also discussed . Nalural developments of the species are observed.