Pilots Spain

The production of Mexillón de Galicia, or Galician mussels, occurs in the northwest Spain. The ‘Mexillón de Galicia’ has Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status granted by the European Union that ensures these mussels are produced, processed, and packaged within a specific geographic area under stringent quality standards.

Since the first raft (batea) was installed in Galicia, more than 70 years ago, mussel farming has gained such importance in Galicia that become one of the main aquaculture regions in the world. Actually, the Galician mussel culture leads the mussel production in Spain and in Europe, having an annual production of around 250.000 tons. This is more than the 98% of the total aquaculture production from Spain and far above the 55% of the European production.

Mussel culture is a circular process that begins with the spawning of the mussel that grows on the ropes of the bateas or in the rocks and continues with the collection of the seed (both on the rocky coast of the intertidal zone and by means of collecting ropes in the bateas). That small mussel is transferred again, to the bateas so that it grows and fattens. Being placed in the rafts will contribute again to this circular process with the spawning (which restarts the production cycle), and when it will reach the commercial size the mussel would be harvested.

The production of these mussels adheres to strict environmental and quality controls that begin with the selection of the mussel seeds and continue through to the packaging of the final product. The control system for the PDO Mexillón de Galicia involves rigorous standards to maintain the authenticity and quality of the product. The process includes regular inspections and audits, through the ‘whole mussel value chain’ to ensure compliance with the designated standards of the PDO certification. This includes monitoring the size, texture, colour, and taste of the mussels, which are key characteristics that distinguish them from other varieties.

The Spanish pilot aims to demonstrate that the mussel cultivated in Galicia and which holds a PDO recognized and registered in the EU through the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1050/2007, could be differentiated from other mussel species (e.g Mitilus chilensis) at different stages of the value chain, ensuring transparency and traceability. Utilizing advanced tools like the THEROS DNA tool and a blockchain system, the pilot ensures efficient recording of critical tracking events across the entire supply chain. Kiwa España S.L.U., serving as the certification body, will verify the product’s traceability using the blockchain system. The participation of an independent third party in this verification process enhances consumer confidence and reinforces the control system of the PDO Mexillón de Galicia. Kiwa provides tools and services that help producers and supply chain companies differentiate their products in the market, offering reliable information to consumers.

Location: The cultivation area of the Galician mussel is the internal maritime area of the Galician rías (estuaries) in the provinces of A Coruña and Pontevedra, which are authorised to cultivate mussels using rafts. It will comprise the following areas: Ría de Ares-Sada, Ría de Muros-Noia, Ría de Arousa, Ría de Pontevedra and Ría de Vigo.

The cultivation area of the Galician mussel

Climatic Conditions: a temperate maritime climate with mild temperatures and high humidity. The average annual temperature ranges from 10°C to 15°C, with significant rainfall, particularly during winter. These conditions create an optimal environment for marine life, contributing to the high quality of the cultivated species.

Food Products Targeted: The pilot will focus on the cultivation of Mexillón de Galicia (Galician mussels), which holds a PDO status. This product was selected due to its economic significance, established market demand, and alignment with sustainable aquaculture practices.

Criteria for Selection:

• Economic Importance: Mussels are a major source of income for seaside communities in those areas in which is allowed the Galician mussel culture.
• Environmental Compatibility: Mussels filter feed on phytoplankton, enhancing water quality and promoting ecological balance. It is well known that along with the mussel, about 100 species of animals and algae coexist in the ropes, and many species (some as highly valued as spider crabs or shrimp) find food and protection in the areas of rafts.According to the European Commission, the mussel culture generates positive ecosystem services to the areas where it’s being cultivated.
• Market Demand: There is strong demand for PDO-certified Galician mussels both domestically and internationally.
• Sustainability: The project supports sustainable aquaculture practices, minimising environmental impact. Mussel farming is aquaculture that has the lowest footprint. According to the last studies, every Kg of mussel produced withdraws from the environment around 107 gr of CO2 equivalents. Therefore it can be said that it has a “negative” footprint. This is the production of animal protein with the lowest impact per kg of food produced.

PDO Mexillón de Galicia is an example of sustainable and low-carbon aquaculture, a generator of wealth and social well-being, which enriches the European gastronomic heritage with unique, quality, nutritious and healthy food.

Traceability and DNA testing are crucial for the PDO Mexillón de Galicia as they ensure the authenticity and transparency of the product. This rigorous verification framework not only upholds the cultural and economic significance of PDO Mexillón de Galicia but also promotes sustainable and responsible aquaculture practices.

The Spanish pilot will focus on the deployment and real-life validation of THEROS toolbox components in Spain under the co-leadership of Consello Regulador da D.O.P. Mexillón de Galicia, Kiwa España S.L.U, Institute of Applied Biosciences (INAB) and NTT Data and will use the DNA based authenticity kit and the blockchain-based traceability system.

The DNA based authenticity kit will employ both DNA barcoding and metabarcoding techniques to verify that the mussel cultivated in Galicia, which holds a PDO, is indeed from Galicia. This will differentiate it from other mussel species, such as Mytilus chilensis. The kit is a portable device for the extraction of DNA profiles from different samples. The system will ensure the authenticity of the food asset, including an analytical framework for the prediction of the species analytical framework and origin. The results will be provided in near real-time through a dedicated interface.

The blockchain-based traceability system will ensure efficient recording of critical tracking events across the entire supply chain. Dedicated mechanisms will be employed in order to allow integration of data from end-user systems whilst applicable business rules will be supported. Efficient and standardised data models will be utilised to enable multi-product support, regulatory compliance and scalability.

In addition to the local regulatory framework, the participation of independent third parties in the verification process enhances consumer confidence. Tools like the THEROS DNA tool is used to authenticate the origin of the mussels at various stages of the value chain, ensuring transparency and traceability. Kiwa España SLU, a third-party verification body, provides tools and services that help producers and supply chain companies differentiate their products in the market, offering reliable information to consumers.

THEROS components implemented in Spanish pilot

The Spanish pilot project for PDO Mexillón de Galicia employs a comprehensive data collection and verification system to ensure the traceability and origin of the mussels throughout the value chain. This process leverages existing infrastructures and facilities across the production, elaboration and distribution stages.

The pilot site encompasses five primary production estuaries (rías) in Galicia, where a total of 3,387 rafts are distributed, of which 2,083 are registered under the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) system. These rafts, or bateas, are traditional floating structures used for mussel cultivation, providing a controlled environment that optimises growth and ensures high-quality yields. There are 20 PDO control points strategically located at authorised ports. Samples will be taken at specific checkpoints throughout the entire production chain (see details below).

Checkpoints

The project incorporates multiple checkpoints along the value chain to ensure accurate DNA testing and traceability. The checkpoints are as follows:

• Harvest and Landing:

At this initial stage, samples of fresh mussels are taken from the PDO control points. These samples undergo DNA testing to verify their origin and ensure compliance with PDO specifications. In addition, the official traceability records will be uploaded to the blockchain system.

• Depuration and Packaging:

At the depuration centre, mussels are purified to meet health and safety standards. During this process, samples of fresh mussels are taken for the second round of DNA testing and traceability verification.

• Canning Industry:

Mussels are boiled and processed with sauces at the canning facilities. Samples of processed mussels are taken for the third DNA test and traceability check to ensure they meet the PDO criteria and maintain authenticity.

• Verification Protocol

Kiwa España S.L.U., an independent third-party certification body, oversees the verification process, adding an additional layer of security. Kiwa will establish a detailed verification protocol to ensure the standardisation of the verification process. The outcome of the verification points will be displayed on the blockchain.

• DNA Test Analysis:

The DNA test results are analysed by INAB which sends a report that is recorded in the blockchain.

• Traceability Checks:

Traceability data is analysed to ensure that the batch of mussels chosen in the sampling can be traced back to its origin. This includes verifying the documentation of movements and handling of the mussels at each stage of the value chain. The blockchain technology provides a secure and immutable record of these transactions, enhancing trust and reliability.

• Reporting and Documentation:

Certificates or verification reports would be generated based on the analysed data, documenting the verification and traceability findings. These deliverables are part of the verification records issued by Kiwa and are stored in the blockchain system for future reference. This documentation supports transparency and provides consumers with confidence in the product’s authenticity.

Producers and Processors: These stakeholders are at the forefront of the production process and are responsible for cultivating and processing the mussels. They provide an additional layer of security to ensure that the products meet the stringent requirements of the PDO Mexillón de Galicia.

Verification and Certification Boards: The verification and certification bodies, such as Kiwa España S.L.U., are instrumental in upholding the traceability of mussels throughout different stages of the value chain. Kiwa will verify the origin of the product across these stages. This process includes providing verification documents that are recorded in the blockchain, ensuring a transparent and tamper-proof system. Additionally, these boards address cases of illegal use of protected designations of origin for unauthorised species, upholding regulatory standards and protecting the integrity of the PDO Mexillón de Galicia.

Retailers and Distributors: As integral parts of the value chain, retailers and distributors benefit from the transparency and traceability provided by the blockchain system. This scheme allows retailers to offer significant and trustworthy information about the mussels to their customers. By providing accurate and verified details regarding the goods, retailers help consumers make informed purchasing decisions based on reliable information. This transparency builds consumer trust in the PDO Mexillón de Galicia.

The initial implementation of the platform is accessible and currently serves exclusively as a testing environment populated with test data from different lots which have been actively followed. Validation has been successfully conducted across a range of different events like transport and different elaboration stages.

Ongoing efforts are focused on the integration of this platform with other core components of the THEROS system—most notably, the THEROS blockchain-based traceability system. This integration is pivotal to ensuring secure, tamper-proof data flows that provide comprehensive, real-time visibility across the entire mussel chain. The goal is to enable seamless information sharing among all relevant stakeholders, thereby enhancing transparency, traceability, and trust within the ecosystem.

Technical Integration Challenges and Recommendations

Integrating heterogeneous technologies—such as blockchain infrastructures—into a unified ecosystem introduces considerable technical complexity. Ensuring compatibility across data formats, communication protocols, and system architectures necessitates a high degree of technical expertise.

To address these challenges effectively:

• A modular system architecture is recommended to promote flexibility and scalability.
• An API-first design approach should be adopted to streamline data exchange and interoperability.

User Experience (UX) and Interface Design Considerations

Designing a user-friendly interface that accommodates the complexities of blockchain technologies, while also managing an average product catalogue, presents a significant challenge. The platform must serve users with diverse levels of digital literacy and technical familiarity.

To enhance usability and engagement:

• Focused UX research should guide iterative design decisions.
• User feedback loops should be incorporated to continuously refine the interface.
• Visual aids, tooltips, and step-by-step guidance can demystify complex processes.

To be updated