Mussel Farming

Greenshell^TM mussels are farmed using a series of buoys and ropes. A line of buoys is anchored to the sea floor at both ends, using a rope (referred to as a longline) on either side. These longlines can not exceed 110m in length. Attached to the longline at regular intervals is the growing line, which is a single rope that can be up to several kilometres long. The length of this rope is determined by the depth of water that the farm occupies, and the maximum depth desired.

The use of a single rope was pioneered in New Zealand. Prior to its development, single weighted ropes were dropped at regular intervals from the longlines. Mussel spat is attached to the rope, and encased in a mesh stocking that dissolves in seawater over a few weeks, by which time the spat is normally attached to the line.

The mussels are harvested when ready by lifting the lines and removing the mussels from it.

Mussel farms tend to act as man made reefs and as such attract a large number of small fish.

The main commercial farming areas are in the Marlborough Sounds, around the Coromandel Peninsula and in Big Glory Bay on Stewart Island.

For more information about greenshell mussels in New Zealand visit New Zealands Greenshell Mussels.