Newfoundland mussel farmers and primary processing facilities have been certified under the Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard.
Mussel producers and processors in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador are said to be the first to achieve certification, approved by Global Trust Certification/SAI Global.
Primary processing facilities receiving certification are Norlantic Processors Ltd. in Pleasantview processing Black Gold mussels, Allens Fisheries Ltd. in Benoits Cove processing Iceberg Select mussels, and Ocean Fresh Mussel Growers Ltd. in Herring Neck processing Big Blues mussels.
"We are committed to the highest quality standards in the aquaculture industry," said Juan Roberts, president of Badger Bay Mussel Farms. "Meeting this organic benchmark provides assurance to clients and consumers that Newfoundland Organic Mussels have been produced and processed in a sustainable, environmentally
sound manner."
"The mussel farming sector in Newfoundland and Labrador has had a long history of farming practices and management attitudes which respect the environment," added Cyr Couturier, executive director of the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association (NAIA). "The Canadian Organic Aquaculture Standard was seen as a natural fit for the Newfoundland mussel sector to objectively demonstrate that their farming methods maintain the productivity and biodiversity of the marine environment surrounding the mussel leases."
