Dossier

Mussels, oysters and other shellfish

Due to the growing world population, the demand for sustainably produced protein is increasing. Shellfish are at the lower end of the food chain and their growth has limited climate impact, which makes them well suited for this purpose. In addition, shellfish play a crucial role in the ecosystem, for example as food for birds and as a habitat for a large number of plant and animal species. Shellfish also provide other ecosystem services, such as maintaining water quality and contributing to coastal defences as 'biobuilders'. Wageningen University & Research monitors shellfish stocks in Dutch waters, tests food safety and advises on shellfish cultivation in coastal areas and offshore, also in relation to offshore wind farms and nature development.

When it comes to shellfish, there are issues surrounding exploitation and nature (policy). Shellfish are fished and farmed in the waters of the Oosterschelde, Lake Grevelingen and Wadden Sea. We carry out our research for and together with the shellfish sector, the Ministry of LNV and I&W, the European Commission and nature conservation organisations such as the World Wildlife Fund. Shellfish fishery is dependent on the size and quality of fishable stocks. Social support (licence to produce) for the fishery is also essential.

Shellfish: Q&A

Which shellfish live in Dutch waters?

Shellfish Monitor
Which shellfish live in the Dutch coastal waters? What are the population sizes, biomasses and where exactly are they? How do certain species develop?...

Restoration of European flat oyster reefs in the North Sea and Wadden Sea
Oyster reefs and mussel beds are essential for a healthy, rich underwater life. Restoration of hard substrates on the seabed is therefore a focus in...

Shellfish: Q&A

Shellfish Monitor

Shellfish, sustainable and healthy

Draagkracht voor schelpdieren

Mussel seed capture installations (MZIs)

EMFF Yield improvement in oyster production

Restoration of European flat oyster reefs in the North Sea and Wadden Sea

Climate change: will cockles disappear?

FutureMARES

Fish and shellfish diseases

Bonamia-free oysters: temperature and bacterial growth

Products and services that we offer

Shellfish hatchery and nursery

Sonar imaging of the seabed: Side Scan Sonar

Publications

Marine growth sampling tool evaluation : evaluation of the performance of an ROV-mounted tool for sampling marine growth on Offshore energy structures

Monitoring contaminants in Lac Bay water samples by applying passive samplers : A combination of target and non-target screening approach

Storm resilience of subtidal soft-bottom mussel beds : Mechanistic insights, threshold quantification and management implications

Ontwikkeling van enkele droogvallende mosselbanken in de Nederlandse Waddenzee : periode 1995 tot en met 2023

Temperature effects on the impact of two invasive parasitic copepods on the survival, growth, condition, and reproduction of native mussels

Determining physiological responses of mussels (Mytilus edulis) to hypoxia by combining multiple sensor techniques

Prey Selection by Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) in the Dutch Wadden Sea, the Netherlands

Illuminating the Impact of a Floating Photovoltaic System on a Shallow Drinking Water Reservoir : The Emergence of Benthic Cyanobacteria

Effect of carbonation on eco-friendly binders for marine infrastructures

Novel settlement substrates for European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) restoration