Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE
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Scott Lindell, Director Scientific Aquaculture Program Marine Biological Laboratory Woods Hole, MA [email protected] 508/289- Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE Cooperators – • PI, Scott Lindell, MBL Woods Hole Bill Silkes, American Mussel Harvesters, Salt Water Farm Greg Mataronas, Mike Marchetti, Sakonnet Mussels Rick Karney, Alec Gale, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group. Rich Langan, Ken La Valley, UNH extension Dale Leavitt, Roger William University, extension and res.
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Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE. Cooperators – PI, Scott Lindell, MBL Woods Hole Bill Silkes , American Mussel Harvesters, Salt Water Farm Greg Mataronas , Mike Marchetti , Sakonnet Mussels - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE
Scott Lindell, DirectorScientific Aquaculture ProgramMarine Biological LaboratoryWoods Hole, [email protected] 508/289-1113
Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE
Cooperators –• PI, Scott Lindell, MBL Woods Hole
Bill Silkes, American Mussel Harvesters, Salt Water FarmGreg Mataronas, Mike Marchetti, Sakonnet MusselsRick Karney, Alec Gale, Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group.Rich Langan, Ken La Valley, UNH extensionDale Leavitt, Roger William University, extension and res.
MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
BACKGROUND – U.S. context
• U.S. production – 2 Million kgs (about 400,000 kgs in Maine)– Imports to US worth > $80 million per year - 26 Million kgs
• >85% of fresh imported mussels produced in Canada• 20 months to market in PEI vs. 10 - 12months in So. New England
• Experience shared here comes from the last 6 years leading federally funded collaborations between fishermen MBL and other cooperators
Canadian Mussel ProductionNewfoundland• 2,600 ha• 50 farmsPEI• 2,151 ha• >150 farmsNova Scotia• 2008 ha (?)• 116 farmsNew Brunswick• < 250 ha• <10 farmsQuebec• < 1,000 ha• < 10 farmsBritish Columbia• <100 t• < 10 farms
Totals: 8,000 ha - 24,000 t – 400 farms, 2,000 employed (FT/PT) >$125 million to rural economy
500 km
Rhode Island
Martha’s Vineyard
SWF
AMHProcessor
Sakonnet Mussels
MVSG
Permitted and unused sites
Massachusetts
MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
Capital Costs
Equipment type unit cost # needed cost / line
Anchors 500lb $ 1,390 2 $ 3,280
Longline 600 fet $ 0.5 3 $ 300
Buoys - corner 24" $ 60 6 $ 360
Buoys - interm. 15 L $ 6 100 $ 600
High Flyer w/ lights $ 200 2 $ 400
Misc. hardware $ 150
Socking - CAN 1000m $ 220 1 $ 220 ORNZ Ropes 1000m $ 650 1 $ 650
Socking 1000m
1 $100
TOTAL $ 5,310 Consider Helical Anchors, too
Mussel Project Objectives
• Collect mussel seed; near shore and offshore sites • Tunicate eradication trials on mussel seed• Compare different types of socks and stocking
densities to optimize growth and yield at harvest• Develop staggered socking and harvests to extend
market season– Stockpile seed or extend growth cycle– Pilot scale mussel hatchery trials for out of
season seed production and back-up
Socking Experiments -Seed Density and Sock Type
• 3 types of socks– Canadian bisected cotton (3 to 5 m length)– Spanish with pegs (15m max. length)– New Zealand loopy ropes (continuous)
• 2 approximate densities– 600 per meter and 900 per meter
Socking Experiments -Seed Density and Sock Type
Canadian Bisected Cotton Socks
Socking Experiments -Seed Density and Sock Type
Spanish and New Zealand Ropes and Socks
Density = 900/m
Results of Density Manipulations
“Sandy” Mess off Newport RI
Market Product
• Product yield (3 kg/m) acceptable but need to target 6 – 8 kg/m
• 3.5mm per month growth
Remaining Challenges
• Consistent seed supply • • Suitable boats for open seas
• Robust, cost-effective anchors
Acknowledgements
• Funding from Rhode Island Sea Grant, and Northeast Regional Aquaculture Center Research Assistants – Emma Green Beach and Bill Rathjen
• MBL Interns: Hilary Ranson, Molly Peach, Morgan Beals, Charlotta Jornlid
