Researcher Carlos Pereira was the keynote speaker at the first panel discussion. Photo: OPMEGA

Climate Change and Poor Sanitation Blamed for Drop in Galician Estuary Mussel Production

SPAIN
Monday, May 19, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

Experts at an Opmega technical conference point to anthropogenic pollution from inadequate sanitation and the effects of climate change as the primary causes of the decline, while the sector commits to science and innovation for a sustainable future.

Vilagarcía de Arousa, Galicia – The Galician mussel sector squarely addressed its main challenges at a technical conference focused on sustainability and innovation in mussel cultivation, held today in Vilagarcía and organized by Opmega. The meeting brought together scientists, producers, and institutional representatives to analyze the present and future of the sector from a scientific perspective and with respect for the marine environment.

One of the most authoritative voices was that of Professor Carlos Pereira, a researcher at the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) and a leading figure in the analysis of Galician coastal ecosystems. Pereira was emphatic in stating that “a portion of the pollution in the estuaries has a direct anthropogenic origin from the populations themselves, due to poor sanitation. The mussel cultivation cannot be held responsible for the deterioration of the waters.”

Furthermore, Pereira warned of a general trend that transcends the mussel sector: “There is a decrease in production in all species due to climate change,” citing acidification, increased water temperature, and biogeochemical changes as determining factors. Regarding the carrying capacity of the estuaries for mussel cultivation, Pereira was clear: “There is no scientific data that allows us to affirm whether or not there is an overload of mussels.”

Ricardo Herbón, president of Opmega, inaugurated the conference alongside the Councillor for Economic Promotion and Tourism of Vilagarcía, Álvaro Carou, and the Minister of the Sea of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Villares. Herbón highlighted that the meeting is part of the organization's Production and Marketing Plan and reflects the “joint commitment of the institutions to the future of the sector.” He strongly advocated for the need to adopt an ecosystem-based approach “that reconciles productive activity with respect for the natural balances of the estuaries” and appealed to the urgency of anticipating challenges through greater investment in science, training, and innovation. At the closing, Herbón insisted on the importance of “continuing to innovate without losing identity, and of maintaining unity as a sector in the face of present and future challenges.”

Alfonso Villares, Ricardo Herbón and Alvaro Carou

The Minister of the Sea, Alfonso Villares, argued for the inclusion of mussels in the daily diet, describing them as “the most important source of nutrition,” and committed to working to “approach the production figures of 2022,” after the significant drop experienced in 2023. Villares also highlighted that “the current price of the mollusc is the highest in history,” which presents an opportunity for the sector's profitability.

The technical conference was structured into debate panels that addressed the sustainable management of the marine environment, the impact of invasive species – analyzed by researcher Juan Trigo – and surveillance systems for new environmental risks. A final block was dedicated to innovation and the development of new commercial formats, with the participation of Professor Javier Borderías (ICTAN-CSIC), who presented innovative proposals such as mussel sausages and ready-to-eat dishes, with the aim of connecting with new consumer demands while maintaining product quality and traceability.

In an emotional act prior to the closing, Opmega paid tribute to José Ramón Lado Lago, a pioneer of the sector and a key figure since the 1960s. Founder of SOMEGA and the Association of Producers of the Muros and Noia Estuary, Lado Lago was remembered as “an example of collective commitment and grassroots work,” in the words of Ricardo Herbón. The conference underscores the growing concern of the Galician mussel sector regarding environmental challenges and the firm commitment to science and innovation as pillars to ensure its sustainability and competitiveness in the international market.

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