Menai Oysters & Mussels: Fresh Shellfish Sustainably Farmed in this North Wales Strait
When it comes to enjoying fresh, sustainably grown shellfish, Menai Oysters & Mussels sets a high bar. Situated on the shores of the Menai Strait, this farm isn’t just a business—it’s a testament to what happens when tradition meets responsible innovation. By choosing Menai’s products through a trusted local supplier like Mermaid Seafoods, you’re supporting a truly special piece of North Wales’ culinary heritage.
A Unique Marine Environment
The Menai Strait is a designated Special Area of Conservation, shaped by strong tidal currents that ebb and flow around sandbanks, creating a unique environment for shellfish to thrive. This blend of fresh water from Snowdonia and saltwater from the Irish Sea produces shellfish with a distinctive, sweet flavour, thanks to algae blooms that are unique to this area. As Shaun Krijnen, founder of Menai Oysters & Mussels, explains, “We have some algae that blooms here called phaeocystis, which imparts a lovely sweet flavour into the shellfish.”
The farm is a vibrant ecosystem in itself, attracting a variety of birds and marine life. “An intertidal mussel bed is a food provider for marine and terrestrial organisms, so it’s a diverse community,” says Shaun. Birds such as oystercatchers, herons, curlews, and even crows have made the mussel beds their home, with crows cleverly dropping mussels onto hard surfaces to break them open.
Hand-Cultivated for Excellence
Menai’s mussels are cultivated on the intertidal seabed, which not only helps them build stronger shells and adductor muscles but also ensures a rich, distinctive flavour. The result? Mussels that are both easy to handle and packed with a robust taste.
Shaun’s dedication to maintaining traditional, sustainable farming methods extends to his oysters as well. Grown using the bag-and-trestle method, Menai Oysters are allowed to mature slowly, developing a complex flavour profile over time. “Oysters have a phenomenal shelf life if treated properly, so we can send them further afield than the mussels,” Shaun notes. It’s this attention to detail that has earned Menai Oysters & Mussels a reputation among top chefs, including Alain Ducasse, who has featured them in his London restaurant.
A Sustainable Choice
Menai’s approach to sustainability isn’t just about protecting the local environment—it’s about offering high-quality produce that you can feel good about buying. Every oyster and mussel is carefully hand-checked to ensure the best quality, with Shaun personally overseeing every stage of production. “We’re not just producing great shellfish—it’s about being a custodian of this beautiful environment,” says Shaun. This commitment to excellence is why Menai Oysters & Mussels is a favorite among discerning seafood lovers.
Buy Local, Support Local
When you choose to buy Menai Oysters & Mussels from Mermaid Seafoods, you’re not just getting some of the best shellfish in the UK—you’re supporting a business that prioritises sustainability, quality, and community. At Mermaid Seafoods, we’re proud to offer Menai’s products alongside other local shellfish, ensuring that our customers always have access to the freshest, most delicious seafood North Wales has to offer.
So, the next time you’re planning a seafood dish, consider stopping by Mermaid Seafoods for Menai Mussels and Oysters. Because when you buy local, you’re not just choosing better taste—you’re helping to preserve a rich tradition of sustainable, high-quality shellfish farming that’s rooted in the heart of North Wales.
We also have Colchester Oysters, which come from their wild oyster bed on the River Colne and a managed bed in the Pyefleet Creek. What you get from us when you order our British Oysters depends on what we have in stock, but we endeavour to use local seafood wherever possible.
For more information or to place an order, visit our website or give us a call. Let’s keep the taste of Menai alive, one shellfish at a time.