Mussels

Mussel Monitoring Program

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Mussel growers inspecting their crop in Malpeque Bay, PEI.

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are the predominant aquaculture species on Prince Edward Island. The Island mussel culture industry represents 80% of Canadian mussel production. In 2014, more than 44 million pounds were produced for a farm gate value of almost 31 million dollars. The industry employs nearly 1,500 people. Many of them enjoy year-round employment.

Mussel culture occurs in many of the rivers and estuaries in Prince Edward Island. However, the majority of the culture areas are concentrated along the Northern and Eastern coasts. Mussel leases account for a total of 10,932 acres.

For a description of the culture system and each aspect of the culture cycle, see the Aquaculture Info Note entitled Mussel Culture in Prince Edward Island.

How are mussels harvested?

1.Collecting the spat. Once the mussel larvae attaches to the rope it is called spat or seed.

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Sections of rope (1-2 metres) are suspended in the water column to collect free swimming mussel larvae

2. Harvesting seed. Note the harvested collectors on the right of the boat.

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The seed is manually stripped off the collectors into containers

3. Socking.

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Uniform sized mussel seed is placed in long mesh tubes called socks.

4. Hanging Mussel Socks.

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Newly socked mussels being tied onto longlines

5. Buoying Up.

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Buoys are added to the mussel longline as the crop grows to keep the mussels suspended in the water column.

6. Mussel Harvest .

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Mussel socks are cut from the longline and are placed into insulated containers during the harvest process

7. Mussel Harvest (winter). Mussels are harvested throughout the year.

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During periods of ice covered waters (typically between January to March) holes are cut in the ice to access mussel crop.