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North Carolina Department of Environment Quality

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Marine Fisheries - Blue Mussel

Marine Fisheries

Blue Mussel

Mytilus edulis

Appearance: The shell surfaces are shiny bluish-black to black, usually measuring two to four inches in length. Blue mussels are a old-water species which are very temperature sensitive, often requiring storage temperatures near 32°F to maintain shelf life. Shells often gape open when left undisturbed and will typically close very slowly when agitated. They are typically sold live.

Typical Range: Routinely harvested from Northeast U.S. coast to Canada .

Public Health Significance: Approved for human consumption if properly handled and labeled or tagged.

 

N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries • 3441 Arendell Street • Morehead City, NC 28557 • (252) 726-7021 or 1-800-682-2632

 

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