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Blue mussel

Quality mark Cultivation
/Keurmerk Wild
Green
Second choice
Avoid
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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.

 

Blue mussel

Mytilus edulis
Origin

Europe, inland waters. Atlanic Ocean, north-east (FAO 5 | FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Dredges, Bottom culture, Hangculture

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Explanation assessment

Dutch blue mussels are MSC-certifiedMSC Certified:
Fisheries that comply with the Marine Stewardship Council assessment criteria and are certified. Fish products with the blue MSC label are caught by sustainable fisheries.
, like most of the mussels cultured in Europe. All Dutch mussels are watered in the Eastern Scheldt after which they are labeled Zeeuwse mosselen. Watering of mussels is done to remove sandy particles from inside the shells. Since 2016, MSC-certified mossels from other countries can be watered in the Netherlands and thereafter be sold as Dutch MSC-certified mussels.

Culturing mussels requires mossel seedMussel seed:
Mussel larvae.
to be taken out of the wild. After this, they are cultured to consumption size mussels at sea or in estuaria. Mussels take up algea from the water so additional feeding is not needed.

Fishing for mussel seed is done by draggingDragging:
A fishing method for catching mussels, oysters and scallops, using steel frames to which a net is attached. On the front of this frame are often steel points that act like a kind of rake. 
or, in the Netherlands, ‘mussel seed capture systems’ (MZIMZI:
Mussel seed capture system, or 'mosselzaadvanginstallatie' in Dutch (MZI), is a specialized system used to caputre mussel seed from the watercolumn. The systems use ropes hanging in the water colum on which mussels seed attach. The ropes are attached to an anker below and floating devices above.
s). Culturing the mussel seed to consumption sized mussels is done using bottom cultivationBottom cultivation:
The cultivation of shellfish on shallow banks in the sea. Bottom cultivation is used to grow mussels and oysters. Due to the natural food supply in the sea, the seed of the shellfish develops into shellfish suitable for consumption.
, hangingHanging cultivation:
Culturing schellfish on poles and/or wire nets that are hanging in the water column. Using feed from the sea water, mussels and other shellfish grow up to consumption size. 
cultivation or using bouchotsBouchots:
Masts on which mussels are grown. Around the masts are ropes or bags wrapped with mussel seed. 
. Most Dutch mussels are cultured in the Eastern Scheldt and Grevelingenmeer.

Boat dredgesBoat dredges:
A fishing method used for collecting shellfish and crustaceans from the bottom. The ship drags a steel frame with a net over the bottom, in which shellfish and crustaceans are caught. Large ships can drag multiple dredges simultaneously, on each side of the ship.  
that are used to fish mussels from the bottom culture plots are harmfull to the seabed on which also other organisms settle. Therefore, mussels cultured on hanging cultures are a more sustainable choice.

During the culturing process, mussels are moved between different areas. Moving mussels between different areas can be risky in terms of disease and parasite spreading and the introduction of non-native species. This should be minimized as far as possible.

Fish in season 

Fish is in season when the spawning period has ended, as the quality is then at its best.

Blue mussel

Mytilus edulis
Origin

Europe, inland waters. Atlanic Ocean, north-east (FAO 5 | FAO 27)

Farming- / Catch method

Bottom culture, Hangculture, Bouchot

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Source usage
Impact on the environment
Management
Final assessment
Explanation assessment

Mussels are cultured in the Netherlands and other European countries and can be done using various culture methods. Either way, mussel culture relies on mussel seedMussel seed:
Mussel larvae.
being captures from the wild. After this, mussels are cultured untill they reach consumption sizes. Most Dutch mussels are cultured in the Eastern Scheldt and Grevelingenmeer, but also in the Waddensea.

All Dutch mussels are watered in the Eastern Scheldt after which they are labeled Zeeuwse mosselen. Watering of mussels is done to remove sandy particles from inside the shells.

Fishing for mussel seed is done by dragging or, in the Netherlands, ‘mussel seed capture systems’ (MZIs). After this, the mussels are transported on different culture methods. These can be bottom cultivation and hanging cultivation or bouchotsBouchots:
Masts on which mussels are grown. Around the masts are ropes or bags wrapped with mussel seed. 
. Mussels are placed on specific plots in the water with bottom cultivation. When the mussels are ready, they are fished from these plots using boat dredgesBoat dredges:
A fishing method used for collecting shellfish and crustaceans from the bottom. The ship drags a steel frame with a net over the bottom, in which shellfish and crustaceans are caught. Large ships can drag multiple dredges simultaneously, on each side of the ship.  
. This is harmfull to the seabed and other organisms that have settled here. With hanging cultivation or bouchots, mussels are grown on ropes or nets attached to poles, standing or hanging in the water column. Therefore, the impact on the environment is minimal.

Mussels take up algea from the water so additional feeding is not needed. During the culturing process, mussels are moved between different areas. Moving mussels between different areas can be risky in terms of disease and parasite spreading and the introduction of non-native species. This should be minimized as far as possible.

Fish in season 

Fish is in season when the spawning period has ended, as the quality is then at its best.

ASC label

Fish with the ASC label is farmed in a sustainable manner.

MSC label

Fish with the MSC label is caught sustainably.

Good fish

This fish is not being overfished or is being responsibly farmed, with minimal impact on the environment.

Second choice

This fish is a second choice. There are still some improvements to be made in this fishery or fish farm.

Avoid

Do not buy this fish. It's being overfished or the way it's farmed or caught has a negative impact on the environment.

Welfare

There is fish available of this species that is farmed or caught using high welfare standards.

GlobalG.A.P.

GlobalG.A.P. certified farms are doing a step in the right direction in terms of sustainability. A few species with this label are getting a better score on the VISwijzer.

Organic

Organic standards are the strictest when it comes to fish feed. They also require certain measures for animal well-being.