Close-up of Fresh Clams

Food sectors

Shellfish

A guide to producing mussels, oysters and other bivalves

Updated 9 May 2024

Becoming a producer

Now that you have established your shellfish farm, you need to set up essential registrations, insurance, and other administration before you can run an official business.

Membership

Membership of the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers (ASSG) or the Shellfish Association of Great Britain (SAGB) is recommended to stay up to date with latest news and training in the sector. 

Good practice

The ASSG code of practice for Scottish bivalve shellfish cultivation is compulsory for all members. You should also read and follow Seafish’s Good manufacturing practice guidelines workbook for bivalve production.

Insurance

Getting a general liability insurance will cover other people getting injured because of your operations or produce. You can also get specialist aquaculture insurance to cover stock mortality, insure your boat, and you may consider income protection/personal accident insurances. Longline Environment has an introduction into aquaculture insurance.

Setting up your business 

If you earn more than £1,000 per year from aquaculture, you need to register as a sole trader, or set up a business partnership or a limited company. You will also need to pay income tax on your profits and keep records. You might also want to draft a business plan to keep track of your accounts – this guide by the Landworkers’ Alliance is a good starting point.

Registering as a food business

To sell shellfish you need to register as a food business at least 28 days before you start trading and get your premises inspected. This is free, and you can do it via your local authority. You can find more information on the Food Standards Scotland website here

Food safety

A Level 2 food hygiene certificate is recommended for being compliant with food safety regulations and can be achieved online. Developing Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) is not mandatory for shellfish farmers but can be good practice in managing food safety. You should follow Seafish’s Good manufacturing practice guidelines workbook

Find out more:

Biosecurity Measures Plan

Before starting production, you need to develop a biosecurity measures plan (BMP) and get it approved by the Fish Health Inspectorate. A BMP will include details such as how you will assess stock mortalities, inspect disease, and comply to biosecurity standards around moving shellfish. 

Read the Scottish Government’s guidance on the minimum information required in an BMP

The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science has more information and templates for BMPs

You should review your BMP regularly and have it available for inspection.