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Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE

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

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Research and Improved Management for Offshore Mussel Farms in RI and SNE

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  1. 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 slindell@mbl.edu 508/289-1113

  2. 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

  3. Newfoundland • 2,600 ha • 50 farms • PEI • 2,151 ha • >150 farms • Nova Scotia • 2008 ha (?) • 116 farms • New Brunswick • < 250 ha • <10 farms • Quebec • < 1,000 ha • < 10 farms • British Columbia • <100 t • < 10 farms Canadian Mussel Production 500 km Totals: 8,000 ha - 24,000 t – 400 farms, 2,000 employed (FT/PT) >$125 million to rural economy

  4. Rhode Island Massachusetts Processor AMH SWF Sakonnet Mussels MVSG Martha’s Vineyard Permitted and unused sites

  5. Capital Costs Consider Helical Anchors, too MARINE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. Socking Experiments -Seed Density and Sock Type Canadian Bisected Cotton Socks

  9. Socking Experiments -Seed Density and Sock Type Spanish and New Zealand Ropes and Socks Density = 900/m

  10. Results of Density Manipulations

  11. “Sandy” Mess off Newport RI

  12. Market Product • Product yield (3 kg/m) acceptable but need to target 6 – 8 kg/m • 3.5mm per month growth

  13. Remaining Challenges • Consistent seed supply • Suitable boats for open seas • Robust, cost-effective anchors

  14. 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, CharlottaJornlid

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