Mussels get Friend of the Sea certification

Following a rigorous eight-month audit process, all member farms of SSMG have achieved FoS accreditation that confirms and endorses the sound environmental credentials of its mussel farming procedures. Stephen Cameron, managing director of Scottish Shellfish, said he was delighted at achieving the certification, which represented a major milestone for the company that signalled its commitment to sustainability. "This is a first for the UK and achieving this certification is testimony to the hard work and dedication of our member farms in employing best practice procedures that ensures there is minimal environmental impact during the growth cycle of our quality rope grown mussels," he said. Paolo Bray, director of Friend of the Sea, said: "The audit of SSMG mussel producers has been one of the most complex and engaging run by Friend of the Sea, considering the wide geographic distribution and number of sites to be visited." There are 14 mussel farms in the Scottish Shellfish group, which are located on the Scottish west coast and Shetland. Scottish Shellfish, which has a processing and handling facility in Bellshill, represents about 70% of total Scottish mussel production. The bulk of its output is for the UK, although it also supplies small quantities for the export market.