Redemar holds an information day on the Sol-Ouxa I project to address the effects of this fish on shellfish stocks in Galicia
This research action is led by the Centre for Marine Research (CIMA) with the collaboration of CETMAR and the Galician Federation of Fishermen’s Associations.
The objective is to gain knowledge on this natural bivalves predator and to develop with the sector a proposal for measures to mitigate the impact on shellfish stocks.
The Pontevedra’s Federation of Fishermen’s Associations held last Friday a conference on the Sol-Ouxa I project led by CIMA with the collaboration of CETMAR and the Galician Federation of Fishermen’s Associations. The Director General of Fisheries Development, Marta Villaverde, attended the meeting, which aimed at informing the members of the organisation and stakeholders about this scientific action financed by the Regional Department of the Sea.
The project is developed through the collaboration between the regional marine research centres and the fishing sector (Redemar). It intends to increase knowledge about the presence of the Chondrichthyan fish Myliobatis aquila, known as ‘ouxa’, traditionally considered one of the main predators of bivalves and therefore of special interest to the shellfish sector in the area.
This action responds to the need of knowledge about the species, present in the Galician marine ecosystem, while confirming the fishing community’s perception of its impact on shellfish farming. It also lays the foundations to develop activities that analyse the impact on bivalve banks. A line of work that will promote a framework meeting between administration, researchers, and the shellfish and fishing sector, where sharing data and experiences located in Galicia or elsewhere can be possible.
The initiative will allow a diagnosis integrating scientific and technical information with the experience of the sector itself, while identifying research needs in the field. This knowledge is essential to subsequently draw up a proposal for actions agreed with the sector to design effective short- and medium-term protection and prevention measures to mitigate the effects and impacts detected in the banks.
