Is the Menai Strait the next top seafood destination in the UK?
The Menai Strait is a designated a Special Area of Conservation that benefits from strong daily tidal flows that deliver nutrient‑rich plankton. This perfect natural “conveyor belt” feeds mussels and oysters, creating deeply flavorful shellfish. Farmed intertidally, the mussels build stronger shells and adductor muscles, yielding robust, tasty mussels with long shelf life.
In fact, historically around half of the UK's mussels have come from here, and the North Menai Strait was one of the UK’s largest mussel‑farming site, producing 8–10 000 tonnes of mussels annually!
Sustainable and certified
This mussel fishery was one of the first “enhanced” fisheries certified by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), using a catch-and-grow model that balances aquaculture and wild seed harvesting.
Local anchorage: chefs sourcing fresh from the Strait
Top-tier restaurants in Menai Bridge like Dylan’s (a Michelin-recommended boathouse eatery overlooking the Strait) actively feature mussels and oysters from the Strait, embraced by both locals and visitors.
The Menai Seafood Company at Porth Penrhyn also offers a selection of shell and fin fish, including mussels, oysters, bass, mackerel, and chowder that supports local fleets and supplying nearby eateries.
A rising destination
The farm-to-table ethos is strong and restaurants are sourcing directly.
The certification and sustainability credentials (MSC, SAC) give restaurateurs confidence and appeal to eco-conscious diners.
The growing popularity of seafood tourism and regional food festivals like Caernafon and Menai Bridge.
What’s next for shellfish tourism?
There is encouraging news for the mussel farming sector in the Menai Strait. Since Brexit, it has not been possible to export live mussels from Class B waters, including the Menai Strait to the EU, due to health certification restrictions. However, on 19th May, the EU and UK jointly announced a reset in their trading relationship, which includes an agreement to resume the trade of live mussels from Class B waters.
Crucially, this means that the requirement for export health certification will be removed, allowing live mussels from the Menai Strait to once again be exported to the EU for depuration and marketing.
While the specific mechanisms and timeline for implementation are still to be confirmed, this announcement marks a significant step forward for those relying on for their livelihoods. We hope it will renew hope for the local mussel industry and the opportunity for producers to begin rebuilding their businesses after a challenging few years.
The Menai Strait has all the ingredients to be the UK’s next standout seafood destination:
World-class flavour from natural ebb & flow
Sustainable, certified fisheries
Strong local culinary champions
Rich room for curated experiences
For volunteer science communicators and events planners, it’s an amazing canvas. Celebrate the Strait—from mussel biology and ecology to chef-driven menus and farm-to-visitor immersion.
Want to explore?
Menai Oysters & Mussels: farm tours, farm-to-home sales
Dylan’s Restaurant, Menai Bridge: fresh, local seafood with a view
Menai Seafood Company in Porth Penrhyn: sustainable seafood specialists
Halen Mon producing the highest quality sea salt right from the Menai Strait
