Belfast Lough is 'mussel-ing' in on the international seafood market through exporting Blue Mussels to the Continent.

The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Northern Ireland Seafood highlighted Belfast Lough Mussels during National Seafood Week. This was as an example of how the aquaculture industry in Northern Ireland is expanding and making a positive contribution to the Northern Ireland food industry.

Belfast Lough provides excellent opportunities for shellfish production with some 25 licensed sites covering 1,530 hectares. These are currently serviced by eight aquaculture vessels compared to only one in 1998. Approximately 6,500 tonnes are harvested annually, with most going to Holland and Belgium, where they sell for approximately £600 per tonne. This gives Northern Ireland an export market of £3.9 million.

Anne Dorbie, Head of DARD Aquaculture explains further: "Many people who live or work near Belfast Lough will be completely unaware of its role as a source of one of Europe's quality seafood's!"

"The story of Mussels in Belfast Lough is an excellent example of how the Northern Ireland aquaculture industry is growing at a rapid rate. DARD has assisted the development of the aquaculture sector with technical and financial support and Mussel trawling in Belfast Lough is currently supporting 30 jobs."

"A support network for the industry continues to develop and, building on the recommendations of the Shellfish Aquaculture Management Plan for Northern Ireland, the Department is supporting areas of work. These include research and development of the future of aquaculture, work on fish health and welfare standards and is also looking for viable opportunities to increase the economic benefits available through aquaculture."

Dennis Law, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland seafood, said: Northern Ireland Seafood continues to support this sector of aquaculture and are pleased to see local seafood finding a firm market on the continent."