Blue mussel

General

Shellfish

Shellfish is a culinary term that is often used for several species of molluscs, gastropods, bivalves and arthropods. Some examples are the St. James shell, mussels, razor clams, oysters, cockles and whelks. Most shellfish live partly or fully buried into the seabed, mostly in sandy or gravelly bottoms. They feed by filtering nutrients out of the water. Seed and eggs are released into the water and fertilized externally. Most shellfish are hermaphroditic, they can be both male and female. There are many different shellfish species in the North Sea that are very much suitable for consumption. Fishing methods on shellfish include hand-picking, dredging or mechanic dredges (suckers).

Blue mussel

The blue mussel, also known as the common mussel, can be found in Dutch coastal waters. Mussels use threads, called byssal threads, to attach to other mussel forming mussel beds. The blue mussel can be found in intertidal zones as well as in deeper water. The mussels that are farmed and sold in the Netherlands are labelled as ‘Zeeuwse mosselen’. This is due to the fact that mussels are re-watered in the Eastern Scheldt before they are consumed. Mussels are re-watered in order to remove sand from in between their shells.