He also harvests shellfish, offers diving services and performs underwater construction works. Protection of the sea is also one of the company's activities.
When did you start growing mussels and which species do you grow?
First we started harvesting wild mussels like warty venus (lat. Venus Verrucosa) and Noah's Ark shell (lat. Arca Noae). Expansion of activities in the direction of shellfish farming has been an obvious upgrade of our work. We started with mussels farming in 2005 by signing the concession contract for the cultivation of Mediterranean mussels (lat. Mytilus Galoprovincialis) and clams at the Debeli rtič area. After that we have received the concession for the Strunjan and Sečovlje areas. Our growing area comprises a total of 95,355 m2. As a result of the modernisation of growing species we are planning to produce 300 to 400 tons of Mediterranean mussels and 6 tons of clams per year.
Clams with pasta
Preparation time: 15 min
Ingredients for 4 persons:
- 300 g spaghetti or wide noodles
- 600 g fresh clam in shells
- 2 grains of garlic
- Mediterranean spices
- 1 dl white wine
- Olive oil
Wash the clams together with shells in water to remove residues of sand, and then place them in a pot with wine, garlic and Mediterranean spices. Cover the pot and cook for 5 minutes on high heat. Drain the mussels, filter the remaining liquid and enrich it with 2 tablespoons of olive oil added to the obtained sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and serve warm.
Steamed or grilled Mediterranean mussels are an indispensable dish on the menu if you are hosting a larger group of guests.
Can you describe the process of mussels growing? How long do the mussels need to grow to be suitable for harvesting?
The cultivation technique of Mediterranean mussels is relatively simple. Additional food is not needed for this type of breeding. The Mediterranean mussels' growth is caused by seawater filtration that provides food for the mussels' growth and development. Usually they are growing in the tidal area, where they do not have the right conditions for constant growth and development due to the shallow waters. Artificial farms provide better growing conditions for the Mediterranean mussels in a natural environment. The Mediterranean mussels are constantly surrounded by nourishing seawater and constant growing conditions are provided.
Mediterranean mussels are grown in growing lines which are 170 m long. These areas are composed of carrier floats with a volume of approx. 160 l. The floats are fastened together with a load-bearing rope at the distance of approx. 10 m. Clusters of mussels in growing nets are hanged on load-bearing ropes. The mussels reach the suitable size in 16 to 18 moths depending on the conditions (water temperature, density of population etc.). During growth Mediterranean mussels need to be transplanted at least once. The planted offspring grows slowly through the growing net's holes. Consequently, when the majority of Mediterranean mussels grows out of the net, they have to be transplanted to growing nets with larger holes. Excessive mussels´ overgrowth can be prevented with a correct transplantation. Mature mussels that reach the commercial size are harvested with an appropriately equipped boat. The mussels are then sorted on the boat. Before they are sold in the domestic market they are bacteriologically purified in the Centre for purification and shipping of mussels. Foreign buyers provide bacteriological purification themselves.
Clams are also cultivated using a breeding system in which additional food is not used. The clams' growth is caused by seawater filtration that provides food for the mussels' growth and development. The clams usually grow in the areas with natural sand. Their growth depends on the water temperature. The optimal growing temperature ranges from 12 to 20°C. The artificial farms provide the best growing conditions for clams. The water temperature at the farm is constantly as close to the optimal temperature as possible.
What is the process of distribution and the sale of mussels? Which market is the most interesting for you at the moment?
Closeness of Italian market is very important for Slovenia. It is one of the largest in Europe, and in order to meet its demands between 20 and 30% of its consumption has to be imported, which is why we currently sell all our mussels to Italian wholesalers.
Steamed Mediterranean mussels with a white wine sauce
Preparation time: 30 min
Ingredients for 4 persons:
- 3 kg fresh Mediterranean mussels in shells
- 6 grains of garlic
- 4 spoons of chopped parsley
- 4 dl white wine
- 4 spoons of olive oil
- 3 spoons of bread crumbs
Clean the mussels with a kitchen knife to remove the threads between the shells and rinse under running water. Remove the mussels which are already open. Chop the garlic and parsley. Heat the olive oil in a pot and add the mussels. Stir a minute or two then add the garlic. Cover with a lid and cook for 5 minutes and mix occasionally during cooking. Add wine, parsley and bread crumbs, mix well and cook for approx. 5-7 minutes. Check if the majority of the mussels is open. Serve the dish. Be sure to remove the mussels that have not opened.
One of your main goals is to meet the needs of our target consumers by providing healthy and superior quality seafood produced using modern, environmentally friendly technologies.
Shellfish such as mussels and clams are very nutritious and are a valuable source of unsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. They are rich in vitamin B1, high in protein and minerals such as iodine, zinc and phosphorus. Freshness is essential in shellfish consumption, which is why we provide optimum logistic to our clients, which means that mussels are delivered from the sea to the wholesale store within the same day.
Protection of the sea is also one of your important activities.
In 2013 we purchased a new vessel to expand our core business to other complementary areas, namely, providing underwater works in shellfish farms and ports as well as protection of the sea. Protection of the sea is an activity of general interest and is carried out in cooperation with the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief for training and interventions at sea. The vessel serves to set booms in case of spillage of hazardous substances into the sea. The booms limit the spread of hazardous substances into the environment.
What are your plans for the future?
We are in the final stage of optimization of the production process. In the future, we plan to expand our supply by breeding new species of mussels.
Which mussels are the most delicious according to your taste? Do you prepare them by yourself? Can you share any recipes with us?
Clams are certainly the most appropriate for special occasions. They are most commonly eaten raw served on ice with lemon as an appetizer, gratinated or prepared in a risotto or pasta.
Danila Golob, SINFO
