Jun
15
Shellfish production area rating downgraded
Filed Under EN
Platforms for mussel farming in an estuary in Galicia. (Photo: Stock File)
Shellfish production area rating downgraded
SPAIN
Tuesday, June 16, 2015, 00:50 (GMT + 9)
The Secretariat of Marine Affairs of Xunta de Galicia has declared 12 shellfish production areas as “zones C” due to the spill of waste waters that are mixed with the sea in almost all Galician estuaries.
This rating of producing areas means that their shellfish can not be sold as fresh but they must be cleared to be traded in the market.
This clearance is necessary due to the high levels of Escherichia coli bacteria that are commonly found in the intestines of animals.
The latest areas in joining that list of zones C are two mussel polygons of Portonovo, La Voz de Galicia reported.
Currently, the raft mussel farmers face two problems: waste water spill and biotoxins.
While the red tide is an inevitable natural process, pollution of the estuaries has a remedy and can be eradicated.
Sources of the Amecomra raft mussel farmer association expressed outrage and recalled that the European authorities enacted to Spain due to the lack of sanitation in the estuaries.
In addition, there is a danger of spread to other polygons.
The Government explained that the two zones that have been newly declared as C areas will be at least three months in that situation.
The other areas that can not sell fresh seafood due to organic water pollution are in the Viveiro estuary (middle and inner parts); Ferrol (A Malata Cove and inside As Pias, except A Gandara); Mandeo river estuary (outer and middle parts); middle part of the estuary Corcubion; Saco de Fefiñáns, in Cambados; Os Praceres bank zone, in the Pontevedra estuary, river Miñor estuary and cove of Larache (Vigo), detailed the Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment (INTECMAR).
In Galicia there is a single “Zone D” rating that means it is not possible to catch anything for commercialization given the high level of pollution. This area is in the Ria de Ferrol.
Related article:
– Aid called to improve mussel cooker purification
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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