About Offshore Shellfish

Offshore Shellfish is a family-founded, next-generation led aquaculture business with a clear mission: to produce sustainable seafood at meaningful scale.

Established by John and Nicki Holmyard, who bring more than 30 years of experience in the mussel and seafood industries, the company was built on a simple principle — aquaculture should work in harmony with the marine environment.

Today, Sarah and George Holmyard serve as directors and are leading the next phase of the company’s growth. Combining deep-rooted industry knowledge with a strong focus on climate resilience and food security, they are driving the business forward with a commitment to scaling planet-positive protein responsibly.

Pioneering Offshore Mussel Farming

We are developing the UK’s first large-scale, fully offshore rope-cultured mussel farm in Lyme Bay, South Devon.

Operating 3–6 miles offshore across three sites covering 15.4 square kilometres, we cultivate native blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) on suspended ropes using specially designed offshore systems developed over the past decade.

Once fully built out, the farm will produce approximately 10,000 tonnes per year — making it the largest offshore mussel farm in Europe.

Our offshore location allows mussels to grow naturally in clean, plankton-rich oceanic waters at low density, resulting in:

  • Superior shell quality
  • High meat yield
  • Naturally fast growth
  • No mud or grit

Sustainable by Design

Mussels are one of the most environmentally responsible forms of animal protein available.

They require:

  • No feed
  • No fertiliser
  • No freshwater
  • No antibiotics

As filter feeders, they absorb nutrients directly from the sea, supporting water quality and marine biodiversity as they grow.

Rope-grown mussels are widely recognised as a “Best Choice” by the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide and are increasingly seen as a climate-smart solution to future food production.

Our operations are underpinned by independent certification, scientific partnerships and continuous environmental monitoring — ensuring full traceability, food safety and measurable ESG performance.

Built for the Long Term

As a multi-generational family business, Offshore Shellfish takes a long-term view.

Across both generations, our principles remain consistent:

  • Work with nature, not against it
  • Invest in science and transparency
  • Build scalable systems responsibly
  • Deliver premium quality without compromise

By combining experience, innovation and regulatory strength, we are demonstrating that sustainable seafood production and commercial scale can go hand in hand.

Family-founded. Next-generation led. Built to scale sustainably.

Offshore Shellfish is a family run business, founded by John and Nicki Holmyard, who have been involved in the mussel and seafood industries for 30 years.

Offshore Shellfish are building the UK’s first large-scale fully offshore, rope cultured mussel farm off the coast of South Devon.

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