The Consello de la Xunta has given the green light to two new collaboration agreements with the fishing guilds of Cabo de Cruz, in Boiro, and Vilanova de Arousa, through which more than 1.8 million euros are jointly allocated to the recovery of shellfish beds.
With these additions, the number of agreements signed so far rises to five, along with those already finalized with Noia, Muros, and Vilaxoán.
These agreements are part of the 22.7 million euros that the Galician government plans to inject into the maritime sector to address the massive mortality of Galician shellfish caused by the heavy rains last winter.
Within the framework of this program, announced in March by the Minister of the Sea, Marta Villaverde, maritime professionals will be able to receive economic compensation of up to 700 euros for 10 to 12 monthly workdays participating in various tasks while the beds remain closed.
The agreement, co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), includes a plan for the restoration of habitats and shellfish production areas, with a detailed schedule that foresees the direct involvement of the sector in recovery work, including bivalve seeding, waste removal, and shellfish bed conditioning.
Details of the agreements with Cabo de Cruz and Vilanova
In the case of Cabo de Cruz, the agreement includes a budget of 1,370,796 euros and will benefit 163 shore-based shellfish gatherers. The actions will be carried out on a surface area of 2,040,388 square meters, covering the shellfish beds of Barraña, Arrecife das Marxas, Retorta, Ladeira do Chazo, and Mañóns beach. Among the planned measures are mechanical and manual substrate removal, organization of surveillance shifts, thinning, and the seeding of 2.3 million units of fine and grooved carpet shell clams.
For its part, the agreement with Vilanova foresees an investment of 483,598 euros and will cover 65 shore-based shellfish gatherers. Interventions will take place in 1,086,872 square meters in Esteiro de Vilamaior, As Sinas, As Carballas-O Bote, and Castelete-O Rego. The plan prioritizes manual labor in areas with higher shellfish density and reserves mechanical intervention for areas with more mud accumulation. It also includes the seeding of 650,000 units of grooved carpet shell clams.
First private agroforestry polygon in Alto de Castiñeira
In another order of matters, the Consello has approved the declaration of public utility of the first agroforestry polygon of private initiative of Alto de Castiñeira, located between the Ourense municipalities of Ribadavia and Cenlle, with the objective of mobilizing and putting agricultural land into use.
This polygon foresees the enhancement of 11.58 hectares. The main activity will be the cultivation of woody species —fundamentally vineyards, given its location within the DO Ribeiro area— and, as a secondary use, permanent pastures.
Currently, in Galicia there are 29 agroforestry polygons of public initiative underway, in different phases of execution, of which 15 are located in the province of Ourense. In total, they represent the productive recovery of more than 5,000 hectares, according to the Xunta.