Deepdock Ltd, UK
SME PartnerDeepdock Limited began operation in 1991 (although incorporated in 1987). The principle established aim and objective is the successful cultivation of the common mussel, M. edulis. The methodology applied to perform the task of cultivation is bottom culture otherwise known as the Dutch method. Deepdock Ltd operates on 2 areas leased from the North Wales and North Western Sea Fisheries Committee within the 1962 Menai Strait East Fishery order area & operates two other several orders; in Holyhead and in Swansea Bay. The Menai Strait area is responsible for between 50 –75% of the total United Kingdom production of ‘farmed’ mussels with some 6-11,000 tonnes annually being produced by 4 operating companies. Fluctuations in production are a consequence of a number of factors, principle being the unreliability of mussel seed. Deepdock Ltd Operates 2 shallow draft mussel dredgers; the Still Ostrea (LR111) which has dimensions of 28 m length with an 8 m beam and was built in 1987, and the Mare Gratia (B932) which is 43.5m length and a 10m beam and was launched in 2003. The company employs between 7 persons on a fulltime basis and a further 3 seasonally. The aim is to employ 10 people on a full time basis in the near future. The organisation is led by Mr. James Wilson (M.Sc Fisheries management). He is also the responsible person within BLUE SEED. |
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