Shetland Mussels

Mussels are low in fat and high in nutrients like omega-3 and iron. The rugged coastline of Shetland provides the perfect environment to grow some of the UK’s best mussels.  Our large mussels are free from grit, with clean shells and 25% meat content.  With sixty shells to the kilogram, it is easy to see why discerning customers choose Shetland mussels.

Shetland’s many sheltered inlets provide clean Grade A waters all year around, eliminating the need for ultraviolet depuration.  Our rigorous testing prior to harvest, ensures the mussels are free from shellfish toxins (DSP or PSP), and nothing is sold to customers that could cause illness.

The packing process removes the hair (beard) from the mussel (this is called debyssing) before being packed into 1Kg, 2Kg, or 5Kg net bags, then are iced and boxed in 20Kg boxes. The mussels are delivered daily into a chilled warehouse in Glasgow, so UK customers can receive their consignment the day after ordering or the following day for across Europe.

How it works

From May to July, mussels spawn and emit their seed (mussel spat) into the sea.  This seed either falls to the seabed or attaches itself to ropes suspended from the surface.  Over the next two years, mussels feed on plankton, found abundantly in Shetland waters, to grow to a sizeable 10cm on average.

Rope grown mussels have a higher meat content of 25%, because they can focus their energy on growing the meet rather than their shell.  This is because mussels which grow on a rope and not the seabed are free from predators like crabs and lobsters.  In addition, rope mussels have a pure and clean meat because they do not ingest sand or silt from the seabed.

Harvesting

Every mussel site is tested regularly but throughout the Summer we significantly increase our testing well above statutory requirements.  The old adage, “don’t eat shellfish unless there is a ‘r’ in the month” is true.  From May to August there are higher levels of naturally occurring dinoflagellates (the algae that causes illness).  Our testing and positive release system will ensure customers receive mussels that are safe and will not cause illness.

Supply is provided continuously every week of the year owing to location of the mussel sites in different places around Shetland.  Sometimes weather or toxins prevent certain sites from being open, so more sites provide more options.  Larger mussels are graded out for sale, whilst the smaller are retubed into special socks at a modern grading and packing facility in Brae. 

Environment

In an attempt to reduce the carbon footprint, Blueshell Mussels (a Shetland mussel farmer) produce their own bespoke locally made mussel socks specifically for our environment.  After being retubed, mussels are placed back into the sea before growing out past the sock and are ready to be harvested the following year.  This is both commercially beneficial and environmentally friendly.

Mussels form a natural part of any ecosystem and as filter feeders benefit the wider Shetland marine population.  Visitors to Shetland would hardly notice a mussel site in the waters, these unobtrusive additions to the local landscape far from having any harmful effect, are an integral and welcome feature of Shetland. 

For more information on our farm accreditation or production process certification, please get in contact with a member of the Shetland Finest team.