Apr
10
Galicia closes more raft polygons due to red tide
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Mussel rafts in O Grove, Galicia. (Photo: T. Ezcurra)
Galicia closes more raft polygons due to red tide
SPAIN
Friday, April 11, 2014, 03:10 (GMT + 9)
The Galician government ordered the closure of several raft polygons in the estuaries of southern Galicia due to the presence of biotoxins in their waters.
The closed floating nurseries are O Grove, PortoNovo, Bueu and Cangas.
According to figures released by the Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment (Intecmar), recent closures occurred in O Grove and Cangas, where on Wednesday it was decided to ban oyster harvesting in the polygon Grove B (F) and in that of Cangas D- in Vigo estuary.
On Tuesday the mussel polygons Grove C1, C2, C3 and C4 in Arousa estuary had been closed.
Meanwhile, in Pontevedra estuary, Portonovo polygons A, B and C have been closed since 8 April, last Saturday and since 28 March, respectively.And in Bueu B, A2 and A1 are in the same situation, since 31 March.
This episode of red tide has occurred since 2013, when numerous Galician polygons were closed for several months.
This situation led the Xunta de Galicia to approve an order for aid totalling EUR 1.5 million in February, the agency Europa Press informed.
Although the presence of toxins in the Galician estuaries is common at this time of the year, some producers fear the situation worsens and further closures can be necessary.
Recently, a group of European scientists developed a series of new genetic techniques for the immediate detection of toxic algal species. It is now expected that this method is useful for monitoring programmes affecting mussel algae farms and those of other bivalves.
The experts participating in this project were from Vigo Oceanography Centre of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) of Spain; of the University of Oslo; the Centre for Marine Research of Breiðafjörður, Iceland; and the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Related article:
– New genetic techniques facilitate detection of toxic algae
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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