Oct
16
Mussel polygons reopened after red tide remission
Filed Under EN
Platforms used for mussel farming. (Photo: www.galiciaenfotos.com/CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 ES)
Mussel polygons reopened after red tide remission
SPAIN
Thursday, October 17, 2013, 04:50 (GMT + 9)
The Galician government has decided to reopen five mussel platform polygons located in Redondela after checking that the red tide began to recede in the Vigo estuary.
However, the Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment of Galicia (Intecmar) warns that the episode is still very virulent.
The remaining areas in Galicia are closed due to the presence of two lipophilic type toxins and it is not allowed to catch the mollusc in Vigo, Baiona, Cangas, Bueu, Portonovo, Grove, Cambados, Vilagarcia, Muros, Noia, Corme, A Pobra, Ribeira and Sada.
Red tide affects clams, cockles and razor clams, but differently depending on the area.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Intecmar closed two new areas in Pontevedra estuary (zone III) and Muros- Noia (III) and in the afternoon in Camariñas (I).
While later on the same day, the authority authorized the opening of seven areas in the estuaries of Vigo (I and II), Pontevedra (I, II and IV), Arousa (VI) and Muros- Noia (I).
The shellfish industry said the situation is extreme because this is the best time for quality mussel, Atlantico reported.
Meanwhile, the director of Intecmar, Covadonga Salgado, was cautious and considered it was “premature” to say that the red tide has reached its peak, the newspaper Faro de Vigo.
Besides, President of the Galician Association of Treatment Plant Workers (Agade), Ramón Blanco, said that so far this year treatment companies have lost 20 per cent of their staff due to the three toxic episodes that affected the mussel.
“Of course we are not technicians and we do not have a magic wand but in the two major toxic episodes this year we had difficulties and we have the impression that when there are very high toxin tips, some facts go out of control,” added Blanco.
“Right now, we are at an impasse. There are a lot of products in the treatment plants, pending tests,” he continued.
The mussel sector employs about 15,000 people in Galicia. In this region there are more than 3,300 platforms, and almost 70 per cent is located in the estuary of Arousa while 14 per cent in Vigo.
Related article:
– Galician polygons remain closed due to red tide
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
Open all references in tabs: [1 – 4]
Comments
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.