Mussel float attachment project

• Project start: 5 March 2021
• Project length: 2 years
• MPI funding: $72,500
• Industry funding: $72,500
• Industry partner: Marine Farming Association Inc
• Region: Tasman/Marlborough

This project aims to improve the float attachment methods used in mussel farming. It seeks to reduce reliance on plastic, especially polyethylene rope, and minimise the number of floats lost from farms.

Marine sector adaptation strategy

• Project start: 17 November 2020
• Project length: 1 year
• MPI funding: $165,000
• Industry funding: $179,700
• Industry partner: The Aotearoa Circle Trust
• Region: Nationwide

The project will develop a long-term adaptation strategy for New Zealand’s seafood sector that seeks to reduce climate-related risks, build resilience, and capture emerging opportunities. The strategy will form a framework for coordinated and complementary action by government, iwi, businesses, civil society, and science providers. It will include impact indicators and priority actions to be implemented by key stakeholders.

Transforming mussel waste into valuable product

• Project start: 17 November 2020
• Project length: 9 months
• MPI funding: $313,000
• Industry funding: $471,000
• Industry partner: Environmental Decontamination (NZ) Limited
• Region: Auckland/Tauranga

Currently, mussel shell waste is sent to landfill at a cost to both producers and the environment. This project will assess the potential of an innovative mechanochemical technology to transform mussel shells into calcium carbonate products for use across industry sectors.