05/03/2024
When you see mussel buoys bobbing on the waters of our Island inlets and bays, good things are growing under the water line...
Our PEI Mussel farmers fully suspend mussels in our clean waters using a Longline System.
Mussel seeds are placed in socks, which are attached to a backline or the headrope. They are then anchored at the ends of the lines to the ocean floor, and then supported by buoys. As the mussels grow and get significantly heavier, more buoys are added to keep the socks suspended in the water column.
With a long history of mussel farming, this method is used by PEI Mussel farmers for a variety of reasons. A primary reason is that the mussels do not pick up grit or sediment because they do not touch the bottom. The mussels are also able to be evenly distributed within the mussel socks, allowing them to have equal access to an abundance of nutrients that they feed upon within the water. The benefits from the longline system result in mussels being the same size at maturity, faster growth rates, and more delicious meat in the shells.
Now that's some tasty 'food for thought'! 😉
