Mussels - Nature's biggest carbon suckers

Bivalves are ecosystem engineers. While they may seem rather stationary and not up to much at any particular time, they are actually always working. As they form and develop, mussels naturally build their shells from calcium carbonate,  sequestrating carbon just by existing and growing.

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They are also one of the most sustainable sources of meat known, requiring very little additional food to farm and actively cleaning the environment in the process. Mussels grown out on a rope farm are an easy investment, growing quickly and with very little required energy expenditure.

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Marine-based foods were and are the staple diet for many First Nations in BC (and for indigenous people worldwide) and an obvious source of local food on an island. As we reconnect and start to work alongside our local First Nations to restore health and balance to our island ecosystem, the reawakening of a marine-based food system will be a natural part of that process.

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