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Mussel platforms at a Galician estuary. (Photo: Stock File)
Red tide negatively affects mussel supply in Galicia
SPAIN
Friday, July 03, 2015, 23:10 (GMT + 9)
All Galician mussel rafts have been closed once again following a new outbreak of marine biotoxins, or red tide.
The Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment (INTECMAR) found high levels of toxins in shellfish in the area, so on 30 June it ordered all mussel polygons to be closed.
So far, no oyster and clam polygon has been required to be closed.
INTECMAR closed all mussel polygons from the coast of Ferrol to that of Vigo, going through O Burgo, Corme-Laxe, Camariñas, Corcubion, Muros-Noia, Arousa and Pontevedra.
According to INTECMAR director, Covadonga Salgado, detoxification will take place gradually.
“It is a very important event and we can not say it’s normal that the entire coast becomes affected at once, but it still remains a natural process which has an easy solution,” she clarified.
This new red tide event occurs just when the mussel sector is in the middle of its season, since this is the time when the product is better and the canning industry this month starts the bulk of its operations. Industry sources told FIS.com about their fear that if the polygon closure continues for long, the activity will be paralyzed.
Galicia produces 97 per cent of the Spanish mussel and it is the first region in Europe (it produces 40 per cent of the total), so this red tide event threatens the supply of the mollusc.
According to the United States Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Spain is the third largest producer of mussel worldwide, with 8 per cent of the total volume, ranking behind China and Chile, La Opinion reported.
Spain produced 235,000 tonnes of mussels in 2014, from 162,000 tonnes produced in 2013.
Related article:
– Red tide advances through Galician estuaries
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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