Technology Transfer: Growing Mussels on Submerged Longlines in an Open Ocean Environment Rollie Barnaby Extension Educator, Sea Grant & Marine Resources UNH Cooperative Extension/Sea Grant

Submerged Longline Culture of Blue Mussels (Mytilis edulis) in Exposed Oceanic Environments: Design, Operation and Production Strategies UNH Open Ocean Aquaculture Demonstration Project A Component of the NOAA/UNH Cooperative Institute for New England mariculture and Fisheries (CINEMAR) Rollie Barnaby Funding Provided by NOAA Sea Grant and OAR

Aquaculture in Unprotected Oceanic Environments Advantages Excellent Water Quality Lots of Real Estate Minimal User Conflict Challenges Systems Engineering Biological Limitations Most waters unclassified Increased risk of biotoxins (PSP) Permitting Uncertainties Multiple Use Conflicts with navigation and fishing Environmental Issues (marine mammals)

Goal: To stimulate the commercial development of open ocean aquaculture of bivalve molluscs Objectives: To demonstrate the engineering, biological and economic feasibility of open ocean culture To design technology and operations for compatibility with existing capture fisheries Approach: Adapt existing technologies and methods to open ocean environments Develop new technologies and methods as needed Develop production strategies Develop business plans for several different operational models Transfer Technology Troubleshoot and solve industry problems

5 miles from shore 180 ft deep Current velocities.3-2 kts Significant wave heights > 25”

Seed Collection Wild caught seed; issues are timing, location, materials and fouling Nursery Culture On seed lines; 4-6 months Growout Suspension from submerged longline Discrete lengths of mesh socking Continuous with mesh socking Continuous with rope core and biodegradable cotton sleeve MUSSEL CULTURE

Submerged Longlines

Longline Site Layout

Fishing boat… to mussel boat

Inshore Seed Collection Raft

Seed Collection

Mussel seed ready for socking

Preparing Seed for Growout

Offshore Operations Attaching socks and growout ropes Adjusting buoyancy as weight increases Monitoring growth and meat yield Harvesting Longline maintenance Water column monitoring

Tubular Mesh Socking

Mussel Summary Growth Approximately 4 mm (0.2 inches)/month Average Growout from spat set 14 months 4-6 months on seed collectors (nursery) 8-9 months on longlines (growout) Production Seed line to growout line ratio 1 ft: 3ft Two production cycles per year Optimal seed density on growout ropes: seed/ft 2,000 ft* of growout rope per longline; max of 3,000 ft** 12, ,000 lbs per longline

Technology Transfer Process Objectives: To demonstrate the engineering, biological and economic feasibility of open ocean culture To design technology and operations for compatibility with existing capture fisheries

Commercial Fishermen Partners from the Beginning of the Project There were a lot of informal discussions with fishermen before there was a proposal Fishermen were an important part of a meeting with University administration and Senator Gregg They gave input on the original proposal A local fisherman serves on the project Advisory Committee The local fishermen’s cooperative was listed on the aquaculture permit

Fishermen were hired to work on the project A fisherman helped design and built the mussel mooring system Fishermen were hired to move fish, equipment, and people to and from the project site The finfish part of the project hired fishermen to feed the fish The project paid the fishermen’s cooperative for the use of their docks, winches, forklifts, and storage space

Fishermen were very important in identifying the project site Lobster, gillnet, dragger, and recreational fishermen actively fish the area where the project is located Meetings were held with each group to identify the best site Not one person spoke against the project at the public hearing for the aquaculture permit

Extension Activities Contacted fishermen that participated in all aspects of the project Met with the two fishermen’s cooperatives board of directors periodically to update them on the project Organized mussel aquaculture workshops each year for the past four years Produced video and fact sheet on growing mussels on a submerged longline system

Met with New Hampshire Fish and Game the agency responsible for aquaculture permitting Organized stakeholder meetings to identify sites for mussel farms Have identified areas in state waters that seem to be acceptable to all users Now working one-on-one with fishermen helping them through the permitting process

Thank You! Any Questions?