On the edge of the lowlands of Zeeland lies a village dedicated to celebrating the mussel fishing industry. A vital part of life in Bruinisse for centuries, mussel farming has long been one of the main sources of income for the local area. Bruinisse harbour is the heart of the village and is home to a large, active mussel fleet. The mussel season runs from July to April, with mussel cutters setting sail daily from the harbour to collect some of the finest mussels in the Netherlands.
Mussel Boulevard runs along the dyke which protecting the village from rising waters in the estuary. At the end of this boulevard, visible from the main road, stands a large artwork in the shape of an opened mussel shell. The giant mussel symbolises the mussel fishing industry that defines Bruinisse.
Located on the salt water lake Grevelingen, Bruinisse is ideally situated in an area where the tide, channels and shallow water are perfectly suited to the cultivation of mussels and oysters. Cultivation plots are created using mussel seed – very young mussels harvested from the wild – which are then grown in columns. These mussel columns can be seen throughout the estuary, each marked by a floating blue barrel.
The conditions in the estuary allow the mussels to grow naturally and strict regulations ensure the process remains sustainable and does not harm the surrounding environment. Mussel quality can vary greatly depending on the conditions in each cultivation area.
A whole industry has developed around the harbour, not just the fishing fleet but also the wholesalers, shops and the Mussel Guild. Historically, a large number of the population worked in the mussel sector. The Mussel Guild regulate quality and restaurants belonging to the Guild serve the best mussels. Towards the end of the 19th Century, the industry shifted from wild mussel fishing to mussel cultivation.
Each year, the village hosts Fishing Day, a three-day festival held on the third weekend of July, where the whole community honours the fishermen and celebrates mussel culture. This festival marks the official opening of the mussel season.
Source: www.atlasobscura.com
