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Mussel
The mussel is considered one of the seafoods par excellence of the Galician estuaries.
In fact, Galicia is one of the European leaders in mussel production (its variety is scientifically called Mytilus galloprovincialis). Considered a product very rich in nutrients, it is perfectly suited to the basis of a balanced diet.
The rafts are part of the landscape of the Galician estuaries, in general, and of the Ría de Arousa in particular. It is the traditional cultivation system where the “mejillas” – mussel seeds – are placed on ropes that are hung from the grating – wooden beams – mainly eucalyptus – crisscrossed forming a rectangular structure of about 550 square meters in total.
History of mussel farming
Precisely in 1945, the first mussel raft was installed in the Arousa estuary, in the waters of Vilanova de Arousa, on the initiative of Don Alfonso Osorio Saavedra, better known as El Marqués. In this way, the town is considered the cradle of this aquaculture practice, hosting the first mussel farm employing aquaculture.
When it was found that the richness of the waters of the Arousa estuary favoured mussel farming, the cultivation of these bivalves spread exponentially. Today, more than 2,300 rafts are concentrated in the Arousa estuary alone, accounting for more than half of the total number of rafts located in the Galician estuaries, which are close to 3,400.
When it was found that the richness of the waters of the Arousa estuary favoured mussel farming, the cultivation of these bivalves spread exponentially. Today, more than 2,300 rafts are concentrated in the Arousa estuary alone, accounting for more than half of the total number of rafts located in the Galician estuaries, which are close to 3,400.
The professionalization of aquaculture in the Galician autonomous community and the quality of the bivalves raised and harvested in its estuaries led to the creation of their own label indicating origin and quality. Thus, in 1994 the Galician Mussel Regulatory Council was launched. It was not until 2007 that the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) “Mussel of Galicia” was registered in the European Union. Currently, this is the only PDO for a seafood product within the whole of Spain, which highlights its enormous importance and uniqueness.
One of the main functions of the Regulatory Council is to highlight the quality of a unique product – which grows in waters that are very rich in nutrients – guaranteeing its origin and traceability. This entity brings together producers and marketers, as well as having representatives of the regional administration within its governing bodies.
One of the main functions of the Regulatory Council is to highlight the quality of a unique product – which grows in waters that are very rich in nutrients – guaranteeing its origin and traceability. This entity brings together producers and marketers, as well as having representatives of the regional administration within its governing bodies.
To learn more about the history, tradition and cultivation of mussels in the Galician estuaries, you can consult Aquaculture Notebooks of the Spanish Aquaculture Observatory (OESA). Issue 8 focuses on Mussel Farming (Mytilus galloprovincialis).
Mussel characteristics
The mussel is a hermaphrodite mollusc, which feeds through the filtration of the waters of the Galician estuaries, which are very rich in phytoplankton and from which it extracts the nutrients necessary for its development. They have the capacity to filter up to 8 litres of water in an hour.
Externally, the mussel is characterized by its axe-like shape, with a thick pointed end and a rounded end, but very sharp. Its shell is characterized by a bluish-black colour that usually has different lines, called growth striations.
Externally, the mussel is characterized by its axe-like shape, with a thick pointed end and a rounded end, but very sharp. Its shell is characterized by a bluish-black colour that usually has different lines, called growth striations.
Inside, we find the viand, which is usually intense orange, in most cases, and usually corresponds to female species. This hue is a sign of the abundant phytoplankton existing in the Galician estuaries. However, these bivalves with whitish tones can also be consumed, which are only a sign of a mature male mussel. It does not affect its taste or quality at all.
From a nutritional point of view, mussels provide numerous nutrients. It is a high-protein, low-fat product with a high Omega 3 content. Among the vitamins and mineral salts it provides are B12, B2 and B9, as well as being a source of iron, phosphorus, selenium, iodine and zinc.
From a nutritional point of view, mussels provide numerous nutrients. It is a high-protein, low-fat product with a high Omega 3 content. Among the vitamins and mineral salts it provides are B12, B2 and B9, as well as being a source of iron, phosphorus, selenium, iodine and zinc.
In addition to being part of a balanced diet, it has an affordable price for all budgets. It can be consumed both fresh and canned. The minimum size for marketing is 7 centimetres in length.