Transcript Offshore Mussel Farming in Southern New England

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.
Scott Lindell, Director
Scientific Aquaculture Program
Marine Biological Laboratory
Woods Hole, MA
[email protected] 508/289-1113
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
Newfoundland
• 2,600 ha
Canadian Mussel Production
• 50 farms
PEI
• 2,151 ha
• >150 farms
Nova Scotia
• 2008 ha (?)
• 116 farms
New Brunswick
• < 250 ha
• <10 farms
Quebec
• < 1,000 ha
500 km
• < 10 farms
Totals: 8,000 ha - 24,000 t –
British Columbia
400 farms, 2,000 employed (FT/PT) • <100 t
• < 10 farms
>$125 million to rural economy
Rhode Island
Massachusetts
Processor
AMH
SWF
Sakonnet Mussels
MVSG
Martha’s Vineyard
Permitted and unused sites
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
$
200
2
$
400
$
150
High Flyer w/ lights
Misc. hardware
Socking - CAN
OR
NZ Ropes
Socking
TOTAL
1000m
$
220
1
$
220
1000m
1000m
$
650
1
1
$
650
$100
$ 5,310
Consider Helical Anchors, too
MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY
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