Blue mussel, Mytilus edulis. (Photo Credit: Rainer Zenz/CC BY-SA 3.0)

First federal offshore mussel aquaculture project to get underway

UNITED STATES
Thursday, October 16, 2014, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The first shellfish aquaculture project permitted in federal waters off the US east coast is expected to begin operating next spring. Scientists and fishermen are partnering on this project to grow blue mussels within a 30-acre area in Nantucket Sound.

NOAA Fisheries supported research in New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts to test the technology for this project. Scientists found that mussels grow rapidly and have a high survival rate using this technology.

For the current project, the New England District of the US Army Corps of Engineers authorized installation of the structures needed to grow the mussels. NOAA Fisheries provided technical advice to the Corps, during the project design, to help minimize risks to whales, sea turtles and other marine life.

Scott Lindell, a scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, helped develop the project proposal. According to him, the Corps only authorized the use of three mussel lines, at first, to ensure that the technology can withstand rough weather so there is minimal risk to marine life. Over time, partners could deploy up to 25 mussel lines, if the initial tests are successful.

Each mussel line consists of a 480-foot long 1-inch thick horizontal polysteel rope (head rope), which is suspended in the water column to a depth of 20 to 30 feet using anchor lines and buoys. Mussels are then hung vertically, in “socks” from the head rope, roughly three feet apart. Mussels grown from seed (small mussels captured from the area) reach a marketable size (about 2 inches) in about a year.

 “With all human activities we know there are some environmental risks, but when properly located and operated responsibly, aquaculture projects like this can benefit society and the marine ecosystem,” said John Bullard, regional administrator, NOAA Fisheries. “For instance, they provide locally produced seafood and jobs, and help to improve water quality.”

When grown in nutrient-rich offshore waters, farmed mussels filter their food directly from the water column. This eliminates the need to add food to the system. As filter feeders, mussels draw nutrients from the surrounding water, which can improve water quality.

An added benefit of offshore shellfish aquaculture is that it can increase domestic production to meet US demand for shellfish. Currently, most US shellfish production is limited to marine and estuarine waters near shore. However, user conflicts and limited space are significant barriers to increased shellfish production in state waters. Currently, about 85 per cent of the demand for premium fresh mussels in the US is imported from Canada, producing a trade deficit of USD 20 million a year.

To help minimize the risk to protected species such as sea turtles and whales, NOAA Fisheries recommended protective measures during the development of this aquaculture project. For instance, phased project implementation and regular monitoring by trained observers enables the agency to assess potential risks to protected species before the project expands.


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