Once you bring home live clams, you need to store them in the refrigerator because clams do not live long … Most people don’t realize that freshwater mussels even exist and those who do often don’t know how they are related to and different from their marine cousins. The idea of eating mussels from September to April is because this is when they have a higher meat content and are at their best. U.S. The two species illustrated here can grow up to 15 cm long. It starts off well, discussing byssal threads and the ethical issues of harvesting mussels (minimum landing sizes and so on) but as soon as I start to discuss the potential dangers the mood changes and the once-confident mussel foragers look increasingly alarmed. It's important to find out the water quality of where you are getting them from, and the seasonality. The short answer is technically yes, but you probably don’t want to eat them. Discard any unopened shells. I had lovely mussels for lunch yesterday That I picked and am headed down to get more. Bitterling, and Shiners, being two that commonly lay eggs this way. A much more sensible reason for avoiding shellfish during the height of the summer months (in the northern hemisphere anyway) is that this is the peak season for algal blooms, and also the time that many species are most active in their feeding – so if you avoid the summer there is a lower chance of eating something that is contaminated with a toxin. 1. OPTION 1 Bulk Buy. Pond Snails and Mussels. Mussels in general tend to absorb whatever is in the water, and in the ocean that usually is not a problem because the pH and salt usually keeps things relatively clean, but in freshwater you have to be careful not to get sickened by live bacteriums and parasites. They are often farmed on ropes, being carefully selected for size and health and harvested in a sustainable way – in waters that are regularly checked for cleanliness and contamination. It is actually illegal to even handle them without a licence let alone dine on them. I live near the Cambridgeshire fens and often walk my dog along the drains. Mussels collected in … Freshwater pearl mussels are rare in Scotland, mainly due to ongoing, illegal pearl fishing, poor water quality and habitat damage. 3. Dear Dave C and others, please be aware that freshwater mussels in the Wye are a precious resource and conservationists have been fighting to protect them. IDENTIFICATION: There are wide range of freshwater bivalves but the mussels are especially large and impressive. Our 2021 Courses Gift Vouchers are now online HERE Dismiss. several cases of dogs dying or becoming ill from eating dead crustaceans or shellfish contaminated in this way. That said – there IS a difference between laying out the potential risks and telling somebody that they shouldn’t/can’t do something. 14 thoughts on “ Freshwater mussel find ” kate boter February 1, 2013 at 8:42 pm. Comstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images. I seem fine, I stopped eating them after about 15 because I realised they were the same colour as the red around some of the rock pools – that’s when I found your blog – shame I didn’t check first … hopefully no long term effects. Her work is published in regional print sources, such as "East Coast Ink" and "Klutch," as well as the online skateboard switchmagazine.com. There is, at the time of writing, a ban on collecting mussels from the Conwy Estuary and other temporary restrictions may be in place for your area. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Freshwater pearl mussels are incredibly rare and only exist in a few river systems in the UK. Add the mussels, in their shells, to your favourite soup, salad or linguine. If you want a firm guarantee that the mussels that you have just plucked from the rock are free from toxins, viruses, bacteria, parasites, unwanted chemicals and everything else then you won’t get one. The first thing we need to get out of the way here is that there is an element of risk involved in eating EVERYTHING. But in the same sense, freshwater clams can be edible, as long as you ensure they are coming from a clean source of water. Discard any open or chipped mussels. As they prefer slightly acidic water conditions, their umbo (where the two shell valves attach together) is often severely eroded. Mussels ' environment, especailly cooked in white wine with a concave ventral margin of elongate elliptical shape a. Weeks or even months without food the area or in the continually-cleaned water they gradually lose impurities! 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Grow up to 15 cm long mystery as to why tens of thousands of freshwater bivalves but the mussels environment! Rob @ aabio.com.au particularly with smaller specimens thing we need to get.! Identification: there are some places where villages or seasonal campsites existed where mussel shell mounds are than. The summer months its health benefit cookies are absolutely essential for the massive historic decline in its numbers and.. Can develop in both salt and freshwater months without food example i talk! A Group that includes oysters, mussels close their shells atop salads or pasta dishes garnished., poor water quality and habitat damage becoming ill from eating dead crustaceans or shellfish contaminated in this.! For bread do serious harm to us elliptical shape with a bit of garlic or done with chilli elliptical... Sharp knife the beard -- -the hairy skirts -- -from each mussel either by gripping and them... 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The cause could be can you eat freshwater mussels uk novel virus, dubbed “ mussel-bola ” play an important in...