Mytilidae production

2005 : 1 795 000 tonnes
+ 1.4 % compared with 2004

 

Chinese production again represents the majority of aquacultural output (43 %). Although the species in China has not yet been identified, in a short time we should have a ‘Mytilus chinensis’ or even a ‘Sinomytilus’! The fraction of mussels reared in Europe is decreasing (43% in 2000, 28% in 2005), with two species grown along our coasts: Mytilus edulis and Mytilus galloprovincialis. The green mussel Perna viridis contributes a little more than 15 % to the world total. There are also more endemic species such as Perna canaliculus (Nouvelle Zélande), Mytilus chilensis in Chile and M. coruscus in Korea.

Spain, Europe’s largest mussel producer has seen its production fall in recent years. The shipwreck of the oil tanker Prestige in 2002, in the region of the Gallician rias is probably one of the reasons.

FAO 2007 (2005 production) All production data are given in total weight (flesh + shell).