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Aquaculture is a very ancient activity: carp breeding appears to date back to 2500 BC. Mollusc culture is an important production activity carried out in marine or lake zones with suitable microbiological, chemical and physical water characteristics and abundant plankton, in which mussels have a prominent role. The study was directed at evaluating the morphometric and quality characteristics of commercial Mytilus galloprovincialis from two culture areas in the mid Adriatic: Ancona (natural and artificial open water cultured area) and Bellaria (only artificial cultured area). Seven samples per area, each weighing 3kg, were collected from June to December. Specimens were examined for size (length, width, thickness, maximum longitudinal and transverse circumference) and weight (total, flesh, shell). The flesh was analyzed to determine its content in moisture, protein, fat, ash, fatty acids and crude energy. ANOVA and χ2 test were applied. Specimens were divided into three length categories (