Producers remain attentive to sea conditions in the Arousa estuary

Opmega calls on the Xunta to expedite clarification of the impact of storms on mussel production in the Ría de Arousa

SPAIN
Thursday, March 05, 2026, 04:00 (GMT + 9)

Producers demand an urgent report on the effects of excess freshwater input and question the implementation of the long line system without prior consultation

The Organización de Productores de Mejillón de Galicia (Opmega) has called on the Xunta de Galicia for greater speed and transparency in clarifying the impact that recent storms are having on mussel production in the Ría de Arousa, the main production area in Europe.

The request was conveyed during a meeting held in Vilagarcía de Arousa with the Director General of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Technological Innovation of the Consellería do Mar, Isaac Miguel Rosón Sánchez-Brunete, where several strategic issues for the Galician mussel sector were addressed.

Concern over falling salinity and changing sea conditions

During the meeting, Opmega’s board conveyed the growing concern of producers regarding the evolution of oceanographic conditions in recent weeks. Consecutive storms have caused a significant increase in freshwater input from rivers and runoff, reducing surface salinity.

Various scientific studies indicate that the mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) is particularly sensitive to sudden changes in salinity. A prolonged reduction can affect growth, cause physiological stress and even increase mortality in raft cultivation structures. Galicia typically produces around 250,000 tons annually, representing approximately 40% of total European production, making the sector one of the pillars of the coastal economy.

Photo: Stockfile/FIS

The Ría de Arousa, where more than 2,300 rafts (bateas) operate, concentrates the largest production volume. Therefore, any alteration in water conditions has direct repercussions throughout the production chain, from harvesting to processing and export.

Opmega has urged the regional administration to make public “as soon as possible” the technical report on the possible effects of these climatic anomalies, in order to provide certainty to producers and facilitate decision-making.

<-- Photo: OPMEGA

Controversy over the awarding of the long line system

Another issue discussed was the awarding of the long line system by the Consellería do Mar without prior consultation with representative sector organizations. According to Opmega, this decision directly affects production activity and operational planning.

The long line system, used in other territories for the cultivation of shellfish and fish, consists of horizontal lines suspended at sea where cultivation ropes are attached. Although it may offer advantages under certain conditions, its implementation requires specific technical studies in each estuary due to factors such as currents, depth and production load.

Photo: Stockfile/FIS

The organization maintains that any structural modification to the cultivation model should involve consensus and participatory evaluation, given that the traditional raft system has demonstrated its productivity and environmental sustainability for decades.

The Mussel Roundtable will be held in March

During the meeting, the Director General reported that the Mesa del Mejillón will be held in March, although no specific date has yet been set. This consultative body brings together the administration and sector representatives to address strategic issues such as production, marketing, regulations and environmental challenges.

The president of Opmega, Ricardo Herbón, emphasized the importance of maintaining fluid communication with the regional administration.

“It is essential to move forward with solutions that respond to producers’ concerns and to guarantee the viability of an activity that is key to employment and the economy of the Galician coastline.”

A strategic sector facing the climate challenge

The storm episode highlights the growing vulnerability of the aquaculture sector to extreme weather events, which are becoming increasingly frequent in the context of climate change. Variations in temperature, salinity and phytoplankton availability directly influence the biological cycle of mussels.

The Galician mussel sector generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs and supports a powerful canning and export industry, with markets in France, Italy and the United States. Opmega’s demand for rigorous and rapid information seeks to protect not only immediate production but also the economic stability of the entire value chain.

While awaiting publication of the technical report, producers remain attentive to developments in the Ría de Arousa, aware that the balance between nature, public management and productive activity is essential to guarantee the future of the Galician mussel.

Related News:

• Opmega analyzes mussel mortality in the Ría de Arousa following the consecutive storms of recent weeks

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