Press Release - 07 Nov 2005
Greenshell Mussels A Seafood of Choice
Press release by New Zealand Mussel Industry Council Ltd, 7 November 2005The New Zealand Mussel Industry Council claims that Greenshell mussels should be ranked top of Forest and Bird's ‘green list' in it's newly released best fish guide. Anything less would be misleading New Zealand consumers claims the industry.
New Zealand Mussel Industry Council, executive officer, Lorna Holton says ‘Environmental agencies around the world understand the importance of aquaculture in providing sustainable seafood production. Ignoring this fact would anger mussel farmers especially if Forest and Bird ‘best fish guide' failed to support New Zealand Greenshell by not listing them in their ‘green' best fish choice section.
Last year, New Zealand Greenshell mussels were ranked top of the US environmental agency, Blue Ocean Institute's list of ‘eco-friendly seafood's. Ms Holton says ‘Farmed mussels are often top of conservation group's seafood choice lists because they are filter feeders, require clean, healthy waters to grow in and are proven to have a limited impact on the environment'.
Last year New Zealand Greenshell mussels gained a score of 3.45 out of 4.0 following a rigorous evaluation by the Blue Ocean Institute's leading environmental scientists. Five key criteria were used such as operational risks, ecological "footprint" of feed, pollution, risk to other species and effects on sensitive coastal habitats. This rating was the highest rating for any seafood listed in their guide.
‘New Zealand's a small country competing in a huge global marketplace. Greenshell mussel farmers need all the help they can get in maintaining international reputation of their product' says Ms Holton. ‘It would be a 'kick in the teeth' for mussels farmers if environmental agencies like Forest and Bird failed to follow the lead of top US environmentalists and recognise the value of good quality, locally grown products like Greenshell mussels' she said.
Ms Holton says ‘The US based Seafood Choices Alliance also lists farmed mussels as one of their ‘Sweet 16 best seafood choices for 2005'. Seafood Choices Alliance is made up of members representing over 40 leading agencies such as Environmental Defence, Greenpeace, Marine Fish Conservation Network, Seaweb, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund'.
‘As a small industry it's a real achievement to have Greenshell mussels ranked so highly by the internationally renowned Seafood Choices Alliance'. New Zealand's position is supported by good farm management practices and on-going research. The marine farming industry has some of the highest environmental hurdles to overcome in order to grow mussels in New Zealand marine waters. To have the quality of the Greenshell mussel product recognised worldwide is a major coup for this industry', says Ms Holton.
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