On the island of Pellestrina, a strip of land in the Venetian Lagoon between Lido and Chioggia, Andrea Vianello, along with two other partners, has been running the agricultural company Mareblu since 2014. Their specialty? The Mytilus galloprovincialis mussel, not only because it is the typical mussel of Pellestrina but also because it has recently been certified as Friend of the Sea®.
For almost ten years, Mareblu has been dedicated to the careful cultivation of mussels, from the initial stages of selection for seeding to the packaging of mature products and their subsequent distribution to fishery companies in the Chioggia area.
Founded in 2008 by Paolo Bray, the Friend of the Sea® international certification is a project of the World Sustainability Organization and has become one of the leading global standards for products (both food and non-food) and services that respect and protect the ocean and its resources. The Friend of the Sea® Sustainable Aquaculture certification is awarded to companies like Mareblu that, through an independent audit, demonstrate their commitment to minimizing the negative effects of aquaculture, such as the impact on critical habitats, and refrain from using harmful anti-fouling products or growth hormones.
Mareblu’s two boats, one for seeding and one for the final processing of mussels, move between the company’s two farms: the Adriatic Sea and the Venice Lagoon.
“Our seed is a zero-kilometer seed because it is born within the facility, and it is always brought to maturity within the farm,” explains Vianello.
During the harvesting period for sale, the mussel strands are manually and carefully processed, detached, and sieved to select the best and largest mussels, which will then be packaged in 20 kg nets.
“Mareblu’s commitment to sustainability continues even in this phase,” Vianello adds, “especially regarding waste disposal. Thanks to the collaboration with one of our customers who provided us with a special container, we can efficiently dispose of the no longer usable mussel nets.”
An interesting fact that perhaps not everyone knows about mussel farming is that mussels themselves are beneficial to the environment. “Mussels act as filters by absorbing carbon dioxide and removing it from the environment, purifying it with benefits for other species as well,” explains Vianello.
By becoming part of the Friend of the Sea® family, Mareblu hopes to “receive significant recognition in the market, guaranteed by a logo synonymous with excellent professionalism.”
Friend of the Sea (www.friendofthesea.org) is a project of the World Sustainability Organization (WSO) for the certification of products and services that respect marine habitats and aquatic species. Sustainable fishery products and Omega-3 supplements from fishing and aquaculture can be certified if they pass the compliance verification audits against rigorous sustainability requirements. Audits are conducted by qualified auditors from nationally accredited independent certification bodies. Other products and services that can seek Friend of the Sea certification include sustainable salt, restaurants and chefs, UV creams, ornamental fish, public aquariums, seaweed, maritime transport operators, and whale and dolphin-watching operators. Over a thousand companies have products certified under WSO standards in more than 70 countries. Friend of the Sea also implements conservation projects and campaigns to protect endangered species and habitats.
This piece was prepared online by Panuruji Kenta, Publisher, SEVENSEAS Media