New Mussel Spat Collection Strategy in the Lower North Shore: Collectors in the Form of Gillnets

Summary
Mussel spat procurement is a critical step and potentially significant cost in the mussel production process. Also, the young mussel collection yield can vary considerably from year to year. On some production sites, the height of the water column suitable for mussel spat collection may be at a markedly lower level. Therefore, the purpose of this project is to assess the feasibility and cost effectiveness of a new mussel spat collection strategy, namely collectors in the form of gillnets at a mussel production site on the Lower North Shore. This method was compared with the conventional method involving suspended collectors. The main objective of this project was to compare the collection yield, technical feasibility and cost effectiveness of conventional suspended collectors and collectors in the form of gillnets (height of 3 feet with 12 x 12-inch mesh). The results of this study showed fairly low collection yields on both the conventional collectors (3 feet in length) and collectors in the form of gillnets, as well as a significant spatial difference between the two longlines. Notwithstanding these results, gillnets optimize the collection surface, so that their use creates an economic advantage over the conventional collectors (3 feet). Clearly, a gillnet maximizes the contact surface in cases of lower water level; increases the number of young attached mussels (three times more mussels suitable for socking); and therefore leads to a greater final yield for the business. It also makes it possible to reduce investment costs, notably because of the lower number of longlines required (three times fewer) for the same total length of collectors.

Recipient: Société de développement de l’industrie maricole (SODIM)

Total Project Cost: $62,423

DFO-AIMAP Contribution: $20,814

Other Financial Support:

• Recipient: Société de développement de l’industrie maricole (SODIM) – http://www.sodim.org/
• Industry: Centre aquacole de la Côte-Nord (CACN)

For more information about this project, please contact the AIMAP regional coordinator.
Quebec Region: Pierre.Lauzier@dfo-mpo.gc.ca