Key data
| Regulation | Resolution of August 20, 2026, from the Presidency of the CSIC, M.P., publishing the Agreement for the Volaria project |
|---|---|
| BOE Publication | August 29, 2026 |
| Entry into force | August 18, 2026 |
| Direct stakeholders | Shellfish sector in the Ría de Vigo, especially scallop harvesters |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Funding | Consellería do Mar (Xunta de Galicia) via REDEMAR, with co-financing from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) |
| BOE Reference | BOE-A-2026-18305 |
Scallop harvesters in the Ría de Vigo now have institutional scientific support to improve traceability and food safety of their catches. The Volaria project, formalized through an agreement published in the BOE on August 29, 2026, brings together the CSIC, the Institute of Marine Research (IIM), INTECMAR, the Universidade de Vigo and the Association of Floating Shellfish Harvesting Ría de Vigo to determine why and how lead accumulates in this species, and where that metal comes from in the shellfish beds.
The key for the sector: the results are not merely academic. They can translate into changes in health management of extraction zones, with direct consequences on when and where fishing can take place.
What does this regulation establish?
The CSIC Resolution publishes the collaboration agreement between five entities to execute the R&D&i project called Volaria. Its full name is "Study of biological factors affecting lead accumulation in scallops, and the dispersion and origin of lead in shellfish beds along the Ría de Vigo".
The entities signing the agreement are:
- CSIC — State Agency Spanish National Research Council (entity publishing the resolution)
- IIM — Institute of Marine Research (attached to the CSIC)
- Association of Floating Shellfish Harvesting Ría de Vigo — representative of the shellfish sector
- INTECMAR — Technological Institute for the Control of the Marine Environment of Galicia
- Universidade de Vigo
The two scientific objectives of the project are:
- Identify the biological factors that determine lead accumulation in the species Aequipecten opercularis (scallop).
- Trace the origin and dispersion of lead in shellfish beds along the Ría de Vigo.
Funding comes from the Consellería do Mar of the Xunta de Galicia through the REDEMAR program, with co-financing from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF).
Economic and operational impact
This project generates no direct costs for harvesters: funding is provided by the Xunta de Galicia and EMFAF European funds. However, its results have a first-order operational impact:
- Decisions on opening and closing shellfish beds: if the study detects lead levels exceeding health limits in certain zones, authorities may order the closure of those extraction areas. This directly affects harvesters' income.
- Improved traceability: knowing the origin of lead allows producers to demonstrate that their catches come from safe zones, strengthening their commercial position with buyers and distributors.
- Food safety: results can lead to new control protocols that harvesters must comply with to access markets.
- Opportunity for differentiation: the sector actively collaborating in the project can anticipate regulatory changes and position itself as a reference for quality and transparency.
Who does it affect?
- Scallop harvesters in the Ría de Vigo — direct stakeholders, both in the research phase (providing data and access to beds) and in the application of results.
- Association of Floating Shellfish Harvesting Ría de Vigo — entity signing the agreement, with an active role in the project.
- Guilds and producer organizations in the Galician shellfish sector — results may set a precedent for managing other species and zones.
- Distributors and marketers of Galician shellfish — changes in health management of beds affect product availability and traceability.
- Health and fisheries authorities in Galicia — INTECMAR and the Consellería do Mar will use results for their management decisions.
Practical example
A vessel from the Association of Floating Shellfish Harvesting Ría de Vigo that regularly fishes in a scallop bed in the Ría de Vigo could be affected as follows:
During the project, researchers from the IIM and Universidade de Vigo will take samples of Aequipecten opercularis at different points in the estuary to measure lead concentration and determine its origin (industrial, sedimentary, etc.). If analyses reveal that a specific bed has elevated lead levels linked to specific biological factors in that zone, INTECMAR and the Consellería do Mar will have scientific basis to order preventive closure of that extraction area.
Conversely, if the study confirms that levels are safe and traces lead origin to controlled natural sources, harvesters in that zone can certify the safety of their catches to national and international buyers, strengthening the commercial value of their product.
What should companies do now?
- Follow the Volaria project results closely: harvesters and their associations should monitor scientific publications and communications from INTECMAR and the Consellería do Mar derived from the project, as they may translate into changes in zones authorized for extraction.
- Participate actively in the agreement: the Association of Floating Shellfish Harvesting Ría de Vigo is a signatory to the agreement. Members should get involved in sampling phases and collaboration so that data accurately reflect the operational reality of the sector.
- Review traceability protocols: anticipate possible new requirements for heavy metal control in catches, documenting the origin of marketed batches.
- Consult with INTECMAR on bed status: maintain regular communication with the marine environment control body to know the updated health status of extraction zones.
- Assess the commercial opportunity: distributors and marketers can leverage the sector's participation in this project to communicate to their customers the commitment to food safety and traceability of Galician shellfish.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Volaria project and what exactly does it study?
The Volaria project is an R&D&i initiative that studies two things: the biological factors that determine lead accumulation in scallops (Aequipecten opercularis) and the origin and dispersion of that lead in shellfish beds in the Ría de Vigo. It is executed jointly by the CSIC (through the IIM), INTECMAR, the Universidade de Vigo and the Association of Floating Shellfish Harvesting Ría de Vigo.
Can the Volaria project cause the closure of shellfish beds?
Yes, indirectly. The project results will serve as scientific basis for health management decisions of shellfish beds, including opening or closing extraction zones. If problematic lead levels are detected in certain areas, authorities will have evidence to act.
Who funds the Volaria project and what does it cost the sector?
The project is funded by the Consellería do Mar of the Xunta de Galicia through the REDEMAR program, with co-financing from the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The cost to harvesters is zero: no economic contribution is required from the sector.
When did the Volaria project agreement enter into force?
The agreement entered into force on August 18, 2026. The CSIC resolution publishing it was published in the BOE on August 29, 2026 (reference BOE-A-2026-18305).
What concrete benefits can the shellfish sector obtain from this project?
The main benefit is scientific support to improve traceability and food safety of scallop catches. Knowing the origin of lead allows demonstrating that catches come from safe zones, strengthening the sector's commercial position with national and international buyers and can facilitate access to more demanding markets.
Official source
Consult complete regulation at official source
Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-18305
