July 1, 2003

TENANTS HARBOR, MAINE — Some of the plumpest and meatiest mussels are found growing suspended from rafts at twelve different sites along Maine's coast from Casco Bay to Jonesport. The 40' X 40' mussel rafts are owned by local watermen who anchor between one and four rafts at their aquaculture sites.

Terry Callery, sales manager for Great Eastern, said, "We consistently have mussels with over 40% cooked meat yields and with an average of 50% meat yields which makes these Maine raft-grown mussels some of the highest quality shellfish in the world. And, because they are grown out in the cold coastal waters of the Gulf of Maine, they are as sweet and rich tasting as can be."

The company expects to double its sales of "Choice" mussels when the new season starts this fall. Callery estimates that the per capita consumption of mussels has doubled from 40 to 80 million pounds in the past five years or to about a quarter of a pound per person annually.

Each raft produces about 70,000 lb. of mussels worth over a dollar a pound wholesale. This contributes to an aquaculture industry that at $100 million per year makes Maine the largest marine aquaculture producer in the country.