Jul
15
Raft used for farming mussels. (Photo: Xunta de Galicia)
First mussel polygon reopened after massive closure due to red tide
SPAIN
Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 01:50 (GMT + 9)
The Technological Institute for the Marine Environment Control of Galicia (INTECMAR) announced the reopening of a raft polygon in Cambados, which had remained closed since 29 June due to the presence of biotoxins.
This opening was highly welcomed by the shellfish industry, as it allows fresh Galician mussel to return to the markets, but in small volumes.
According to INTECMAR experts, slight signs of improvement have been observed in the situation although the majority of the raft polygons are closed and the toxic cell levels triple — and in some cases show a five-fold growth –, which is the legal maximum allowed level, La Opinion reported.
The reopened polygon is Cambados A2 and workers immediately began unloading mussels in the ports of Arousa.
While the results of the next samples are expected, the situation remains critical, given all Galician raft polygons remain closed (except for two of oyster and the mussel polygon of Cambados A2), as well as 23 of infaunal shellfish banks.
According to INTECMAR director, Covadonga Salgado, phytoplankton counts show “a drop in the number of toxic cells in certain polygons, an improvement is seen compared to last week, there has already been an opening and a first negative”.
Therefore, he appeared to be “cautiously optimistic” about the situation in the estuaries of Galicia, the newspaper La Voz de Galicia reported.
“The forecast is that the north winds are kept and that contributes to the decrease in toxicity and it is possible that capture permits may begin,” added Salgado.
Related article:
– Red tide forces mussel depurating firms to close
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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