A handful of baby Mussel seed ready for placing on the bed of the River Exe. Around 300 tonnes a year settle naturally in the Estuary and just one year later the sweetest, tastiest Mussels are harvested.
'Alibi' seen here steaming along the seafront is based on a French oyster barge. Following a few alterations she is able to harvest Mussels, Cockles and Clams without harming the riverbed and ensures that all the shellfish landed is in the absolute peak of condition.
A tonne of freshly harvested Exmouth Mussels being transferred from 'Alibi' ready for sorting.
Michael, Andy and Paul carry out the initial grading of the fresh mussel catch. The mussels are then transferred ashore for their final conditioning.
Once the Mussels have been sorted, washed and filtered for up to 36 hours only then are they ready for despatch. After a long day Mark is tying the last few bags of freshly iced Exmouth Mussels just 20 yards from our front window.