Grupo Amegrove, the world’s largest mussel fishing cooperative, has been recertified according to the Friend of the Sea sustainability standard.
Founded in 1977, the Pontevedra, northwest Spain based society has been certified to the standard since 2013.
“In our experience, leaders set an example for others to follow. This is one of the many things that is impressive about Grupo Amegrove and its commitment to the marine environment,” Friend of the Sea Director Paolo Bray said in a release. “They are the largest mussel cooperative, so the industry is watching what they do.”
Grupo Amegrove comprises around 400 members, with a fleet in excess of 100 vessels. Collectively, it has a production capacity of 22,000 metric tons (MT) of mussels per year, supplying Spanish and international markets.
The society covers all the phases of mussel production and treatment process, from cultivation to commercialization. Its treatment plant is located in the port of Moloxo, at the entrance of the Ría de Arousa. This facility has a purification capacity of around 140 MT every 15 hours.
Photo courtesy of Grupo Amegrove
