OPMEGA ANALYSES MUSSEL MORTALITY IN THE AROUSA ESTUARY FOLLOWING THE SERIES OF STORMS IN RECENT WEEKS

The association is collecting data from its members to quantify the actual extent of the impact and will request a meeting with the Regional Ministry of the Sea once it has a complete assessment

Vilagarcía de Arousa, 20 February 2026.- The Galician Mussel Producers’ Organisation (Opmega) has detected episodes of mussel mortality in rafts in the Arousa estuary as a result of the massive influx of fresh water caused by the series of storms that have hit the Galician coast in recent weeks.

In view of this situation, the organisation has already contacted its members to gather detailed information on the actual extent of the impact in the different production areas. The aim is to obtain an accurate picture of the damage before formally reporting the situation to the regional government.

Opmega explains that the extraordinary influx of fresh water alters the salinity conditions in the estuaries, causing significant stress to the mussels, which can lead to mortality and growth losses, with the consequent economic impact on farms.

Once the data has been collected and analysed, the organisation will request a meeting with the Regional Ministry of the Sea to find out what measures will be put in place to mitigate the loss of production and to evaluate possible lines of support for the sector.

A new blow after months of instability Opmega points out that this adverse situation comes after several consecutive months throughout 2025 marked by recurring episodes of red tide that forced the closure of industrial estates and caused a significant loss of income for mussel farming companies.The chain of closures due to toxins and now the effects of heavy rainfall are exacerbating the economic situation of many farms, which are facing a scenario of high production uncertainty.

The organisation insists on the need for a swift response from the administration to cushion the impact and ensure the viability of a sector that is strategic for the economy of the Galician estuaries.