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Abalone of the Haliotis tuberculata variety. (Photo: MARM)
Galicia to host first abalone plant
SPAIN
Friday, March 13, 2009, 22:50 (GMT + 9)
The Council of the Xunta de Galicia has approved the future establishment of the first marine and breeding farm for abalone, one of the most exclusive molluscs in the world, in Piela-Tal de Abaixo, Muros.
Funded by a EUR 4.6 million investment, the new facilities will occupy some 47,533 sqm, and employ around 70 people, in direct and indirect posts.
The marine farm will also boast a breeding centre featuring a system of recirculation with filtration and effluents treatment.
The new facilities will produce mollusc seeds and develop pre-fattening and fattening stages for two abalone varieties: Haliotis tuberculata and Haliotis discus hannai.
The goal of Galician Marine Aquaculture, the company carrying out the project, is to produce algae-fed specimens of 8cm or 9cm for export in three or three-and-a-half years.
The company's annual production target goal is 243 tonnes in the first five years of operations, Faro de Vigo reports.
Only the approval of the activity concession by part of the Council of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs is pending, indicated Xunta Chief Emilio Perez Tourino.
The Galician-government-approved project falls under the Galician Aquaculture Plan.
By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com
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