Blue mussels grow wild on rocks along our shores and in extensive subtidal beds in the Irish Sea. They are cultivated using a variety of methods including being grown on ropes, re-laid on the seabed or in bags on trestles.
Seed or juvenile mussels are usually harvested from the wild subtidal beds. After surveys have been carried out, producers are allowed to harvest the seed mussels if enough are available. The seeds are re-laid on beds in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and grown to market size.
What is the role of the Loughs Agency?
Loughs Agency carry out surveys for seed mussel, in both loughs. We also carry out studies related to growth and collaborate in wider studies of mussel spawning activity.
