Vulnerable but profitable

By Christina B. Claussen

The risks of losing equipment at mussel farming installations is currently so high that insurance companies are in despair.

Photo: Anne Lise Aakervik

The Norwegian shellfish industry is often characterized by makeshift cultivation installations of widely varying standards. "Home-made" buoys and poor maintenance are not unusual, according to insurance companies. As a result, no comprehensive insurance packages are currently available for mussel farming businesses. The coverage that is available generally applies only to equipment, not to production losses. According to Leif Magne Sunde, researcher at SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, there is a significant market for mussels and other shellfish, so the potential for profits is good.
- If we succeed in industrializing mussel farming, the production could generate an annual income of close to NOK 1 billion. Long-term planning and new, mechanized production equipment designed for safety are the crucial factors for cost-effective operation.

* Contact at SINTEF: Leif Magne Sunde
Tel: + 47 73 55 06 28
E-mail: Leif.Sunde@fish.sintef.no

A new type of shellfish installation

Researchers at SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture are developing a completely new type of installation for shellfish cultivation. The new system will float even in the roughest weather, thanks to foam-filled pipes supporting the collectors. Furthermore, the installation can be easily moved; making it possible to avoid various algae types which can make the mussels poisonous. It is also an advantage to be able to move the installation to waters rich in spawn during the phase of catching the "farming stock". - If this equipment lives up to expectations, and shellfish farmers are willing to invest in it, we promise to offer solid policies to businesses that are willing to run a responsible operation, says Bjørn Sunde at the Norwegian insurance company Storebrand. The new installation is compact and is aesthetically much more pleasing than the old sprawling version. However, the long-term goal of the research is to develop moveable installations lying under the water surface, leaving the coastal scenery unspoiled. The developers also hope to include a system for mechanizing the harvesting of the mussels, automating a procedure which today is labour-intensive. When a mussel farmer's "crop" is ready for sale after three years, the mussels must reach the consumer within four days - a challenging logistical deadline. The European market for mussels continues to grow, especially among the French, Dutch and Belgians who are major consumers. Responding to the demand requires sensible investments and long-term planning by Norwegian shellfish producers.