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Report

Futureproofing the green-lipped mussel aquaculture industry against ocean acidification

Law CS, Barr N, Gall M, Cummings V, Currie K, Murdoch J, Halliday J, Frost E, Stevens C, Plew D, Vance J and Zeldis J November 2020

Ocean acidification is a potential threat to the growth, condition and survival of the green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) and may have implications for the New Zealand shellfish aquaculture industry.

Two mitigation strategies – waste shell and aeration – were tested in field experiments to see how effective they are at mitigating acidification around mussel farms. This report outlines the results and recommendations from this research. 

View/download the full report


Primary results:
Recommendations

Within the scope of this study the application of waste shell has minimal potential for ameliorating ocean acidification within mussel farms. Alternative applications of waste shell, such as incorporation within the matrix of dropper lines and calcination to produce lime may represent more effective ways of using waste shell. CO2 removal by aeration has limited potential for raising pH over a mussel farm, although further studies could investigate the potential of microscale aeration within dropper lines, and other potential “bio-buffering” options such as macroalgae beds upstream of mussel farms.

Futureproofing the green-lipped mussel industry against ocean acidification (best for web)

4 MB | pdf

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Credit: Dave Allen NIWA
Ocean acidification mitigation strategies for the mussel industry
We tested techniques to raise the pH of coastal waters around mussel farms to improve shellfish growth.
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