Greece faces a real challenge with its mussel harvest because of climate change. The rise in the temperature of the sea has caused problems in mussel cultivation, as at 26-28 degrees, the large mussel dies while the broodstock survives.
Greece ranks fourth in Europe in mussel farming
Makry Gialos of Pieria is the largest mussel-producing region of the country. It owns approximately 60% of mussel cultivation in the domestic market.
Greece ranks fourth among the E.U. countries in terms of mussel production. Spain is in first place, followed by Italy and France.
Growers farm mussels between April and August, and a mussel takes a total of 12-14 months to reach maturity.
“The Chamber of Pieria, in collaboration with the growers, took a series of actions so that Pieria mussels are now known outside the borders of Greece,” underlined the Deputy Minister of Development, Anna Mani-Papadimitriou.
Speaking about the mussels, the Deputy Minister of Development spoke of “quality products of excellent nutritional value”. She added that “our goal is to strengthen the business. That’s what we will try to do and then, to be next to our entrepreneurs”.
The next goal for the producers of Pieria is the construction of a mussel-packaging plant, Ilias Hatzichristodoulou, president of the Pieria Chamber of Commerce, told AMNA.
“We have added value to the product, from 40 cents in previous years, today the selling price reaches up to one euro per kilo. We want to maintain the surplus value by creating a packaging plant so that the mussels can be transported to the most distant markets,” he emphasized.
As he noted, Greek mussels are exported to Italy for one euro per kilo. There it is packaged and returned to Greece at prices that can reach four euros per kilo. “We want to get this surplus value, that’s why we are promoting the creation of a modern mussel-packing plant,” he pointed out.
Climate change threatens mussel production
However, climate change is also an issue for this sector. The region produces about 13,000 tonnes of mussels each year. Last year, there was a 40% drop, making it a disastrous year as mussels became coveted overseas.
The increase in water temperature, however, creates problems for the spawn, presenting high mortality resulting in a reduction in production. Predictions for 2025 are also negative. The mussel farmers are asking for compensation, while it seems that next year will be difficult as well.
Last year’s performance was an unpleasant development for Pieria’s mussels, which are becoming popular in foreign countries, due to the increase in water temperature, which caused serious problems for the broodstock, with high mortality, leading to a dramatic reduction in production.
The mussel farmers are asking for compensation from the Greek state. As they say, the question for them is to take preparatory initiatives for 2025. That’s because the next year will be even more difficult.
The need for government support amid growing crisis
“The destruction we suffered (for next year) was 100%,” 35-year-old Zakalkas said recently aboard his fishing boat. “We don’t know how we’ll make a living in the new year. Our main and only job is mussels,” he said.
Last summer, consecutive heatwaves in Greece raised sea temperatures in the Thermaic Gulf. It is the country’s main mussel farming region. It reached above 30°C (86°F) for days, exceeding levels that mussels can endure. Greece last experienced significant mussel die-offs in 2021. This event scientists didn’t expect to recur for another decade, noted Kostas Koukaras, a marine biologist. He remarked that this underscores the urgent reality of the climate crisis.
Greece last saw mass mussel deaths in 2021. However, this would not happen again for another 10 years, forecasts Kostas Koukaras, a biologist who studies marine ecosystems.