Apr
9
Mussel rafts closed due to red tide
Filed Under EN
Harvesting farmed mussels. (Photo: Xunta de Galicia)
Mussel rafts closed due to red tide
SPAIN
Thursday, April 09, 2015, 00:50 (GMT + 9)
The Government of Galicia decided to massively close the mussel rafts installed in the estuaries of the autonomous region due to the presence of biotoxins causing the red tide.
According to the data published by Atlantico, between Monday and Tuesday of this week the authorities closed 13 platforms in the south of the community and in total there are 30 areas where the capture of this mollusc is prohibited.
After detecting toxicity levels that are above those legally established, the Technological Institute of Marine Environmental Control (INTECMAR) ordered the closure of all polygons in the Vigo Estuary (thirteen considering Redondela, Cangas and Vigo, one of them is an oyster polygon), eight in Pontevedra estuary (Bueu, Cangas and Portonovo), four in the estuary of Muros-Noia; and one in Baiona.
The red tide is also affecting unfaunal molluscs — clams and cockles — so the authority decided to close all areas of the estuaries of Vigo, Pontevedra and Muros, where they are produced.
Meanwhile, the shellfish industry in Arousa is avoiding the toxin at present but it is expected to be extended.
Industry sources told FIS.com that the current situation at the moment has not negatively affected the canning industry, since it has sufficient inventories from last year to supply the markets.
But if the health problem were to continue until the summer, the companies may face some drawbacks.
This has been the first episode of red tide affecting the waters of Galicia since the beginning of this year.
Available data indicate that in 2014, the platforms of the Vigo estuary closed 138 days on average due to the presence of toxins, and some parts were going to be closed for more than 200 days — the polygons of Cangas H, G and F –. The least affected ones were the platforms from Redondela A (which is an oyster one), which is going to be closed for nine days, and Redondela C, with 53 closed days.
Related article:
– France has doubts about Galician mussel
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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