Nov
12
Intecmar defends its management of red tide
Filed Under EN
Mussel harvesting boat. (Photo: Xunta)
Intecmar defends its management of red tide
SPAIN
Tuesday, November 12, 2013, 03:30 (GMT + 9)
The Technological Institute for the Control of Marine Environment (Intecmar) uses the official and reference methods in the European Union (EU) for the control of marine biotoxins. This was stated by the director of the agency in response to the controversy over the handling of the latest red tide event in Galicia.
Covadonga Salgado explained that to detect the red tide event that occurred last October, Intecmar conducted an exhaustive and systematic follow-up of oceanographic conditions and the phytoplankton community, especially of the toxic species in 58 stations on a weekly basis.
And she said that monitoring in shellfish production areas is the most intensive in the EU and the most welcoming for the Food and Veterinary Office of the Directorate General for Health and Consumers.
This control system allowed the closing of the areas affected by the red tide as soon as they had the scientific data to justify that decision. The 427 recipients (mussel producers associations as well as those of fishermen, cleaners, inspection bodies, etc.) were informed via e-mails and the resolutions issued were advertised in Intecmar website.
The director of the company insisted that there was no delay in the detection of toxicity in molluscs and that the control system worked effectively and smoothly.
That speed ensured food security for consumers and for the producers themselves in the marketing process of their product, the Galician government reported in a press release.
On 8 October, 2013, Intecmar performed 109 controls and conducted 58 daily checks the week before the toxic event, the official stated.
“Official controls are carried out on a risk basis, with appropriate frequency and in accordance with documented procedures, as required by the EU regulation,” Salgado went on to say.
Furthermore, according to Intecmar director, the losses for the sector are “insignificant or null” because most of the mollusc that was in the marketing process could be returned alive to the sea, reported La Opinión.
But the Galician government does not match her opinion. For the Xunta de Galicia, the economic losses due to the toxin are higher than it has been indicated by Salgado.
The Galician authorities argue that in times like the ones being faced by the polygons, losses are caused of some contaminated shellfish lots that had been sent to the canneries. In these cases, they explain that the recovery is not feasible and that these molluscs are only used for compost, the newspaper La Voz de Galicia reported.
Related article:
– Red tide continues hampering mussel sector activity
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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