- Certifier :
- Control Union (UK) Limited
- Certified status :
- Withdrawn
- Certified since :
- 26 Oct 2010
- Certificate expires :
- 09 Nov 2021
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.
When the term “Unit of Certification” is used for fishing units that are in assessment, it refers to the “Unit of Assessment” or “Unit of potential certification”. Expand a status below to view the parts that form this fishery. To check the detailed scope, download the latest certificate or open the Assessments page to get the latest report. Find out more by visiting our page on Fisheries
Catch by Species
| Species | Reported Catch Year | Metric Tonnes |
|---|---|---|
| Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) | 2020 | 2,090 |
Information is provided by an independent Conformity Assessment Body as live weight (the weight of species at the time of catch, before processing) and where a fishing season covers multiple years, the end year is given as the reported catch year. Additional information is available in the latest report, see the assessments page.
About this Fishery
Blue mussel (Mytilus Edulis) image © Scandinavian Fishing Year Book
In 2009, the North Menai Strait mussel fishery was the first fishery to enter assessment against the MSC Fisheries Standard under new guidelines for assessing enhanced fisheries.
The blue or common mussel (Mytilus edulis) is ubiquitous around the UK. Vessels from the Bangor Mussel Producers Association dredge young mussels from ephemeral beds (where the mussels are not attached to rocks but loose in the mud) in the Irish Sea under a special license - from the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee. They re-lay the seed mussels on sheltered beds to produce more successful harvests. The Association also sells some of the seed mussels on to other fisheries.
If you want to learn more about all current UK & Irish Fisheries’ journeys to certification, find out where to buy UK and Irish seafood with the blue fish, and get your hands on the latest mouth-watering recipes, visit the UK & Irish Fisheries Spotlight.
Market Information
The market for the mussels is in northern Europe, mainly the Netherlands, but also Belgium and France.