Product. Razor clam. Tambo island

About this heritage

The razor clam is a bivalve mollusc, which takes its common name from its characteristic elongated, razor-shaped shape. In Galicia it is known as “navalla", among others.

Its shell is very fragile, with open ends, its valves are elongated. They have a series of very fine vertical and horizontal grooves. As for its colour, it is varied as it ranges from white to light brown.

The razor clam is captured in different ways, but mainly by diving. Its exploration is regulated by the Galician Seafood Exploitation Plans.

Its meat is highly appreciated and is usually consumed fresh, although it can also be found canned.

In the Illa de Tambo´s surroundings, the razor clam is also exploited by diving techniques, unlike in other latitudes outside Galicia, where it is extracted in other more aggressive ways.

The razor clam is a highly appreciated consumer product throughout Galicia and so appreciated in the Rías Baixas that it has its own festival, the Gastronomic Festival of the Razor Clam in A Illa de Arousa.

Tambo Island is located in the centre of the Pontevedra´s estuary, it has an area of 28 hectares. The island is part of Poio´s municipality and although it does not belong to any specific parish, it is the Naval School of Marin that is in charge of its surveillance. If we want to access the island by sea, it is necessary to ask for permission from the Ministry of Defence.

To learn more

Tambo Island has an oval and pyramidal shape and is surrounded by trees. Its highest point is Mount San Facundo, 80 meters above sea level. It has a long history and many legends are told about it. To the south of the island we find a small peninsula that, if we see it from land, it looks almost like an island, there is located the Tambo Island Lighthouse. In the northern part it has two beaches joined (Área da Illa and Adreirá) as well as three small piers. Waters near the island are known for their great richness in seafood and fish.

The Tambo Island Lighthouse, also known as the “Tenlo Chico” Lighthouse, has its origin in 1955. This beautiful lighthouse has a 20 meter tower covered with masonry and it is painted to provide visibility.

Tambo Island contributes to the already evident beauty of our estuary with a great landscape value. To contemplate the island the most recommended point is the viewpoint of Punta Samieira, in Poio´s City Council. From this viewpoint, in addition to the island of Tambo, we can obtain spectacular views of the estuary of Pontevedra with its polygons of rafts, Marín, Bueu and part of Poio´s City Council.

Going back to the razor clam, its minimum catch size is 7 cm. , To reach that size it needs 1 to 2 years, and it can reach up to 20 cm. The razor clam has no closed season so it can be harvested all year round. The fish markets with the largest auctions of this mollusc are Cangas, Isla de Arousa, Bueu, Aguiño and Campelo.

To know it better

Tambo Island is located in a privileged place for fishing and artisanal shellfishing, as it is in the middle of the Pontevedra´s estuary and between Marín and Poio. During the 19th century, on this island, a lazaretto, or what is the same, a hospital was formed to treat passengers or crew members who arrived at the Port of Marín with certain infectious diseases. This space worked until 1879, when it was moved to the island of San Simón, in Vigo´s estuary.

Fishing activities must be carried out with previous authorisation. You can find sea products such as: cockles, clams, razors clam, cuttlefish, scallops and oysters.

Razors clam are marine products that are characterized as bivalve molluscs whose shells are fragile, elongated, arched and have a shiny surface. This mollusc is buried in the sand in an upright position on shallow bottoms. It can be consumed in two ways: fresh or preserved. They can be captured by diving or by throwing salt in the hole they leave in the sand of the estuaries.

Poio is a municipality located in the centre of Pontevedra´s province of about 34 km² that are distributed in its five parishes: San Salvador, San Xoán, Combarro, Samieira and Raxó.