Mussels

Viking Aquaculture produces fresh, succulent mussels in the nutrient-rich waters of Saldanha Bay on the west coast of South Africa.

In South Africa, wild mussels are abundant and easily accessible on the rocky platforms of the Cape west coast and Saldanha Bay is considered a prime site for the culture of the blue mussel, or Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis. The bay is fed by pulses of cold, nutrient-rich water that moves in from the south, driven by strong offshore winds. This cold water provides an ideal environment for the growth of plankton, a natural feed for cultured mussels.

At West Coast Oyster Growers, mussels are grown on ropes suspended from longlines in the sheltered, yet well circulated environment of Saldanha Bay. Mussels are sold in fresh and frozen form. Frozen half-shell mussels are a very popular product that now outsells the fresh product.