Shellfish harvesting in Ferrol estuary. (Photo: mariscosdebarallobre)

Toxin presence intensifies in Galician estuary

SPAIN
Friday, August 31, 2012, 23:00 (GMT + 9)

The tests carried out by the Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment (Intecmar) once more indicated the presence of lipophilic toxin in Ferrol estuary, a day after the shellfish harvesters of the associations of Ferrol and Barallobre had resumed the activity.

August is the most important month for the Galician associations in terms of sales, but this year has been the worst for shellfish producers as a result of the toxin and of high mortality levels.

While the new results have not been received yet, it might be impossible to take shellfish to the platforms on Monday, as it had been planned, La Voz de Galicia reported.

Besides the presence of toxin, the sector is facing the loss of the shellfish stored in the purification plants in mid-August.

The association of Ferrol reported on Wednesday that about 1,200 kilograms of pullet carpet shell were useless to be auctioned, since almost all the molluscs were dead.

And on Thursday, Barallobre refused to take 1,000 kg, which had been deposited on 13 and 14 August but not withdrawn before because of the toxin, to the market.

The main chief of Ferrol, Rubén Ferrer; and the deputy chief of Barallobre, Manuel Bañobre, ensure that the platforms "are ruining the associations", because of the high mortality level of the shellfish that the platform boxes record, which is causing significant losses to the cooperative of the estuary.

During September, the cooperatives will have to send Xunta de Galicia the reports with data on the mortality level recorded for the Galician government to return them the lost money.

By Analia Murias
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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