The meeting, the first working session for the regional official after taking office, served to outline the problem but not to detail concrete solutions, according to sources from the collective. Attending the meeting were Susana Bellón, second vice-president of the Fishermen's Guild and president of the shellfish gatherers' group; Raquel Ramos, secretary of the group; María Rodríguez, secretary of the Cedeira Fishermen's Guild; and Santiago Pereira, biologist for the guild. Representing the Ministry, alongside Gómez Brandariz, were Alexandre Piñeiro, territorial director of Fisheries in Celeiro, and another technician.
The guild's biologist presented data on the mortality of cockles and clams, as well as the null results of recent seeding efforts. The shellfish gatherers called for a thorough investigation to determine the causes of the productive decline and for the adoption of measures, including a study of the substrate's condition.
“"In the remaining part of the current year, it will not be possible to establish any agreement to entrust them with regeneration work to alleviate their economic situation."
Looking ahead to 2027, the Director General suggested the collective diversify and present exploitation plans for other resources such as polychaetes, whelks, or crabs. The shellfish gatherers, a group of twelve women, some of whom have exhausted their unemployment benefits, expressed their determination to fight for their activity and to present alternative exploitation plans to the Ministry while awaiting the recovery of traditional resources.
