Features: Along Oregon's coast there are two species of mussel. Bay mussels (Mytilus edulis) are bluish-black and grow to about 3 inches in length. California surf mussels (Mytilus californianus) are brown or black and grow to about 7 inches long.

Habitat: Mussels often inhabit boulders in the upper tidal zone so it is best to go looking for them during low-tide.

Technique: Wearing a glove, use a twisting motion to pull mussels off the rocks, then immediately pull the "beard" off the bottom, the hairs that previously anchored the shellfish to the rocks. Be sure to check the regulations and safety closures before heading out to harvest mussels. To help ensure that an area is not over harvested, spread out your harvest and don't harvest to bare rock.‌