The Minister of the Sea, Marta Villaverde, and the fishermen's guild of Miño have signed a collaboration agreement aimed at the recovery of shellfish beds that were damaged by the recent storms.
The Xunta Council approved the agreement this Monday, which will have shared financing through the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
"The regeneration of the affected areas is a priority for the regional administration because behind them there is economic activity, employment, and the future of many families who live from the sea," said the minister.
The interventions included in the agreement will be carried out preferably in the beds located between the end of Playa Grande de Miño and Punta Allo, as well as between the Hervás Channel and Punta Curbeiros, covering a total area of 691,087 square meters.
The plan developed by the guild foresees conditioning the productive substrate through ground preparation work with manual tools and machinery, in order to improve the habitat of the different shellfish species.
The project also includes control of the green crab in the Bañobre bed and the removal of the Japanese oyster, an invasive exotic species that competes with native resources.
Likewise, thinning and relocation tasks of fine clams, Japanese clams, and cockles will be carried out between different shellfish beds to promote their development, increase their survival, and improve their productive yield.
The program also includes the pre-growth of seed in specific facilities located in the Bañobre and Porto de Miño beds and their subsequent seeding in the planned areas.
According to the Xunta in a statement, the planning will directly involve 18 shellfish gatherers from the guild.