Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture P.O. Box 8700 St. John=s, NL A1B 4J6

Preliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of Production of IQFion of IQFion of IQFion of IQF Mussels MeatMussels MeatMussels MeatMussels Meat

c

Introduction

The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities program (FTNOP) provided assistance in 2008 to Cape Mariner Enterprises Ltd. (CME) to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the production of cooked, individually quick frozen (IQF) mussel meat.

Background

CME, located at O’Donnell’s, St. Mary’s Bay, has been operating for over 20 years processing a variety of products including groundfish, capelin, herring, mackerel, and whelk. In an effort to supplement their operation, CME continually explores prospective new products and believes that there are considerable business opportunities in secondary and value-added processing. Mussel meat production, as an alternative to marketing live in-shell products, would allow higher utilization of raw material and increase opportunity to introduce new products. CME researched current and past product forms in the mussel industry to identify how the raw material could be best utilized at their facility. While the province’s aquaculture mussel industry continues to compete in an intense North American marketplace for a share of the fresh in-shell market, CME wanted to explore the business potential associated with cooking, extracting and individually quick freezing (IQF) mussel meat. Fresh or frozen vacuum-packed, fully cooked meat without shell is versatile and suited to a multitude of ready-to-eat products. This procedure was of interest to CME as the process could potentially be completed by existing whelk processing equipment.

Preliminary Evaluation of Production of Individually Quick Freezing Mussel Meat

Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program Project Summary 0316-07-019

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture P.O. Box 8700 St. John=s, NL A1B 4J6

Preliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of Production of IQFion of IQFion of IQFion of IQF Mussels MeatMussels MeatMussels MeatMussels Meat

Preliminary market assessment indicated IQF mussel meat is an emerging commodity, especially in European countries where there has been a reduction in wild production. IQF mussel meat is, however, a new product concept in North America. It is believed that with increased promotion (i.e. samples, promotional materials and presentations), seafood buyers will recognize the two main benefits of extracted mussel meat over the in-shell product: No shell waste and increased efficiency in restaurants.

Methodology

CME undertook several initiatives to determine if the processing of IQF mussel meat could be carried out with existing whelk processing machinery, to identify new products, and to explore potential markets. These activities included:

• Communicated with mussel growers interested in supplying mussels to the company, noting undersized (less than 2”) mussels can be utilized in the production of IQF mussel meat.

• Reviewed product forms and completed preliminary research on market opportunities for

mussel meat.

• Investigated the potential associated with processing IQF cooked mussel meat with existing whelk processing machinery to determine if the machinery could be used as is or with modifications.

• Conducted an initial production trial to determine the effectiveness of cooking, extracting

meat, freezing and handling materials using the system designed for whelk.

• Conducted a second, larger production run using the IQF tunnel. The finished product from this trial was used for yield determination, quality evaluation and market samples.

• Completed a preliminary cost assessment for institutional and retail-ready products.

• Promoted the new product concept at the Boston Seafood Show – 2008 where product

information was distributed during customer meetings. In addition, 1 lb. packages of IQF mussel meats were strategically distributed for customer evaluation and product promotion. Product information sheets, including photos and packaging options, were prepared and distributed.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture P.O. Box 8700 St. John=s, NL A1B 4J6

Preliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of ProductPreliminary Evaluation of Production of IQFion of IQFion of IQFion of IQF Mussels MeatMussels MeatMussels MeatMussels Meat

Results This research and development project provided CME with an introduction to the required process, the finished quality, process yield and the cost to produce and package cooked IQF mussel meat. This information will be used to support continued development of new opportunities for mussel meat products. The capacity to process mussels will allow CME to further develop new product forms suitable for frozen and refrigerated storage. It was determined that some equipment and machinery will require significant modification to turn out the highest quality product. However, most modifications can be made with existing maintenance personnel and local businesses.

Conclusion The company has already included mussel meat in a special chilled/refrigerated product category along with other shellfish. At the end of this project, Cape Mariner Ltd. officials reported that they met or surpassed their objectives. With this strong foundation of information and experience, CME will continue to conduct further review and consultations to determine whether vacuum-packed fresh cooked or IQF will create the most acceptable product form, best presentation and longest shelf life. Additional process testing in terms of cooking, extracting and freezing of mussel meat with whelk processing equipment is ongoing. Additional testing regarding shelf-life is necessary. This FTNOP project has offered a productive introduction to production methods and market identification for the value-added, IQF processing of mussel meat. The Fisheries Technology and New Opportunities Program (created under the fishing Industry Renewal Strategy) provides support for innovative and competitive harvesting, processing, and marketing initiatives to increase the overall viability of the Newfoundland and Labrador seafood industry to be a major economic contributor to the provincial economy. For more information please contact us.

Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL A1B 4J6 Call: 709 729-0118 / Fax: 709 729-1884 Web: http://www.gov.nl.ca (Or a DFA Regional Office near you)