IN BRIEF - Galician Mussel Farmers Unite in Opposition to Altri Pulp Mill in Arousa Estuary
SPAIN
Friday, March 21, 2025
Mass Participation Planned for Saturday's Protest in A Pobra.
Vilagarcía de Arousa – A significant portion of Galicia's mussel farming sector ("bateeiro" sector) has confirmed its participation in the upcoming demonstration against the proposed Altri pulp mill in the Arousa estuary. "We have consistently voiced our unequivocal opposition to this project, which directly threatens our livelihoods and the ecological integrity of the estuary," representatives stated.
The mussel farmers' primary concern centers on the potential impact of the Altri plant on the Arousa estuary's water quality. The proposed mill, located in Palas de Rei, plans to extract up to 46,000 cubic meters of water daily from the Ulla River and discharge 30,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater. As the Ulla River empties into the Arousa estuary, the discharge of this treated water raises serious concerns about potential harm to the marine ecosystem, specifically water quality and shellfish and mussel ("bateeira") production.
Despite receiving environmental approval from the Xunta de Galicia, the shellfish and environmental sectors remain deeply concerned about the potential for irreversible damage. The Arousa estuary is a critical ecosystem for mussel cultivation and a vital economic engine for Galicia.
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The mussel farmers' primary concern centers on the potential impact of the Altri plant on the Arousa estuary's water quality. The proposed mill, located in Palas de Rei, plans to extract up to 46,000 cubic meters of water daily from the Ulla River and discharge 30,000 cubic meters of treated wastewater. As the Ulla River empties into the Arousa estuary, the discharge of this treated water raises serious concerns about potential harm to the marine ecosystem, specifically water quality and shellfish and mussel ("bateeira") production.
INDIA.png)
Khyber Aquaculture and the Fisheries Department train farmers in sustainable cold-water aquaculture
BAHRAIN
New infrastructure aims to improve fuel access and operational efficiency for local fishermen.
TANZANIA.png)
Chinese shipbuilder Rongcheng Xinyang will strengthen Tanzania’s offshore fishing capacity
MEXICO
The two men were rescued around 150 miles off Chiapas after their vessel sank.
AUSTRALIA
Border Force detained the crew near Cape York after finding fishing gear and 700 kg of salt
RUSSIAN FEDERATION
The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance of the Russian Federation (Rosselkhoznadzor)—which inspected nine Chilean processing facilities and their entire associated supply chains, including farming centers, cold storage plants, and processing sites—has announced the lifting of restrictions on five facilities, allowing them to resume exports to that market.
CHINA
Ahead of 
NORWAY
Austevoll Seafood,
In the first half of 2026, the share of production fish - fish that have wounds, deformities or other quality defects when harvested - was 10.6% of the harvest volume, compared to 17.7% in the first half of 2025 and 30% in the first half of 2024. At the same time, the harvest volume is at a record high.
PAKISTAN
Strong demand for frozen fish, squid, sardines and live crustaceans drives rapid trade growth
