For the bivalves’ harvest, the Carril growers use different tools that are both environmentally friendly and specially made for each task. After the harvest, the first selection begins, sorting the specimens according to species and size for the required minimum market size and the desired quality. The undersized ones are returned to the growth areas to reach the proper size for sale.
Thus, the minimum length sizes for each species applied by the Association of Fish Producers (OPP), according to current regulations, are as follows:
Under the Galician Autonomous Community’s Order dated July 27, 2012, this agency oversees and ensures the minimum sizes for harvesting and selling. By prohibiting the marketing of any product below the minimum standards specified for sale, this legislation pursues the objectives of guaranteeing the protection of marine organism juveniles and preserving the continuity of the resource.
Shellfish Aquaculture Extraction Tools
Most of the growing fields consist of small plots of land. Their owners perform the extraction task on foot, using a rake called Raño that can remove the sand from the bottom and gather the tasty bivalve. This tool has the tips separated so that the growers can pick those specimens of big-enough size to be considered adults. Additionally, if the specimens’ number is too large, collectors can employ a support boat to deposit and select by size and species the extracted bivalves.
When a farm is sufficiently large to support mechanical techniques, the producers have developed machinery that employs air and water injections to lift the bivalves from the substrate and deposit the specimens in a net-cupped tube. By doing this, they can completely extract the bivalves grown in the field and remove, aerate, and clean the substrate.