The press communiqué say that SSMG’s mussels have become the first farmed seafood in the UK to achieve the prestigious Friend of the Sea (FoS) certification providing independent confirmation of the sustainability of its aquaculture operations. After eight-month of audit all member farms of SSMG have achieved FoS accreditation that confirms and endorses the sound environmental credentials of its mussel farming procedures.
Stephen Cameron, managing director of Scottish Shellfish, expressed his happiness over gaining the certificate, which represented a major milestone for the company that signalled its commitment to sustainability. He added it is first of its kind in UK and consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the provenance of their food and any impact its production may have on the environment.
Paolo Bray, director of Friend of the Sea, said that the audit of SSMG mussel producers has been one of the most complex and engaging run by Friend of the Sea, considering the wide geographic distribution and number of sites to be visited. He also said that the farming of rope-grown mussels is one of the most sustainable ways of producing an excellent source of protein. The presence of mussel farms can actually be beneficial to the environment.
