Overview
Fisheries are composed of one or more parts, each of which is entitled to receive an MSC certificate. These parts or “units” are defined by their target stock(s), fishing gear type(s) and if relevant vessel type(s), and the fishing fleets or groups of vessels.
Attention
Some or all units that participated in this fishery are now covered by another assessment. Please see the DFPO Inner Danish Waters blue shell mussel for more information.
About this Fishery
The blue mussel is a widely distributed bivalve shellfish that adapts to a wide variety of ecological situations. Mussels are filter feeders, feeding on phytoplankton and suspended organic matter in the water column.
Two vessels dredge for mussels from mussel beds in the Isefjord and another five on the east Jutland coast.
The size and power of the vessels operating in both fisheries are regulated to control effort and dredging in shallow water depths. Vessels may be no more than 16m long and are limited to an engine power of 300hp. The mussels are fished by one or two dredges on each vessel.
Mussel stocks in both areas appear to be steady, with landings from the fishery representing less than 1% of the total stock over the last five years.
Mussel (Mytilus edulis) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
Market Information
The mussels landed from the east Jutland fishery are sold to both the live market and processed. Most of these mussels are exported. Mussels landed from the Isefjord fishery are sold to the live market in Denmark as well as for export.