Mussel Seed Fishery
The bottom grown mussel sector relies entirely on the supply of seed mussels from naturally occurring beds for relaying onto licensed sites for on-growing to a marketable size. The industry operates on an all-island basis and the main seed beds have historically been found off the East coast of Ireland i.e. Counties Down, Wicklow and Wexford.
In Northern Ireland, Licences for Collecting Mussel Seed are granted under the rules of the Fishing Vessels Restrictive Licensing Scheme. Licences are issued at the discretion of DAERA to the owners or charterers of named fishing vessels designed for the purpose of dredging mussel seed for relaying on sites licensed by DAERA in Northern Ireland, DAFM in the Republic of Ireland. All consignments of mussels transhipped from outside Northern Ireland, and mussel movements originating from within Northern Ireland fisheries, for relaying in Northern Ireland must be relayed to licensed aquaculture sites. There are no licensed aquaculture sites on Lough Foyle. DAERA grants licences under the Fisheries Act 2020.
In 2007, DAERA, DAFM and the Loughs Agency commissioned an all-island review of the bottom grown mussel sector with the aim of producing a set of recommendations for the future management and regulation of the sector. The review was undertaken by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), and produced the official report “The Rising Tide”. Since then, DAERA, DAFM and the Loughs Agency have progressed a number of recommendations contained in the Report including the establishment of an All-Island Bottom Grown Mussel Consultative Forum (BGMCF). The Forum is chaired by BIM and facilitates discussion between industry, their representative bodies and regulators on matters of mutual interest.
Licence Application Process
Owners and/or charterers of mussel dredgers are required to apply in writing for a Licence to Collect Mussel Seed. DAERA will issue application packs on an annual basis.
The completed application form must be accompanied by a number of supporting documents that are noted in the application template:
- A valid transcript of Registry of a British Fishing Vessel for the vessel to be licensed;
- Where the applicant is not the vessel owner, the application must be accompanied by a Charter Agreement i.e. a formal written agreement signed by the applicant and the owner of the vessel;
- Where the application is for a company, a letter on company headed paper, authorising the signatory to act on behalf of the company;
- Location maps for relay sites;
- Copy of certification of vessel monitoring system;
- Copy of the certified vessel's fish room diagram and hold markings.
Incomplete applications will be returned.
A licence for collecting seed mussel will be formally revoked once the seed mussel allocation specified in the licence has been fished.
Under the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, it is an offence to cause the spread of invasive non-native species.
2026 Seed Mussel Fishery
Seed Mussel Fishery applications can be accessed here.
Seed Mussel Surveys
DAERA commissions the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) to conduct an annual survey of the seed mussel beds at Skullmartin, Donaghadee Sound, the Feathers, Burial Island and Craigbrain Reef along the Outer Ards Peninsula. This survey estimates the suitability and quantity of seed available and screens the surveyed beds for presence of Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS). The findings of this survey along with all other available evidence and advice is the basis of the DAERA Minister's decision on whether to open the fishery each year.
Copies of AFBI’s survey reports (Seed Mussel Stock Assessments) are viewable at these links for the year 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018.
Contact
For further information, contact DAERA Fishing Vessel Licensing: fishingvessellicensing@daera-ni.gov.uk