The Xunta (Galician government) develops a web viewer of larval density of bivalves in the Galician coast in collaboration with CETMAR, within the Apromex project
- This tool improves the access to data and the interpretation and consultation through interactive panels, as well as viewing the position of sampling stations and their temporal evolution
- In 2023 a study on the identification and selective marking of mussel larvae using monoclonal antibodies was carried out by the CINBIO research centre of the University of Vigo, CIMA and Intecmar
- The Consellería do Mar (Regional Ministry of the Sea) is investing more than 1.2 million euros to promote initiatives to guarantee the sustainability and development of this strategic aquaculture resource in 2024-2026.
The Conselleria do Mar reported to the Xunta on the development of a web viewer for the mussel larval density, a strategic marine resource for the aquaculture in the region. Within the Apromex project and co-financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFF) this action is developed by CETMAR, which depends on the Consellería. and has set up a web platform for data visualisation of the mollusc larval analysis, especially mussel larvae. Data are updated weekly, through interactive panels.
This tool improves the access to data and facilitates the interpretation and consultation by offering information of interest like the position of the sampling stations and allows to know their temporal evolution in 2023, 2024 and 2025. It also includes a diagram of the mussel larval cycle, and comments on the evolution recently observed at each station, just as other observations. These and other operation aspects of the tool, together with other advances and research of interest to the industry are presented to the mussel sector in the Capacitamex project workshops, organized by CETMAR.
This action is in line with previous work performed in the period 2009-2011 when, commissioned by the Consellería do Mar, CETMAR published weekly reports on the Intecmar website on the abundance of mussel larvae in the Galician estuaries to show temporal and spatial patterns. Also in 2023, a study was initiated to identify and selectively mark mussel larvae using monoclonal antibodies, carried out by the CINBIO research centre of the University of Vigo, the Centro de Investigacións Mariñas (CIMA) and Intecmar.
Further actions
In addition to the analysis of bivalve larval populations in the rocky intertidal and their exploitation on the coast, the Apromex project also addresses the evaluation of new seed collection systems in long line structures to supply mussels to the sector and contribute to the sustainability of mussel farming. This is an essential product for Galician aquaculture, that is why transferring results and other knowledge to the sector and stakeholders is another area of work.
The Consellería do Mar will invest more than 1.2 million euros in the period 2024-2026 to promote initiatives to guarantee the sustainability and development of this strategic aquaculture resource.
