Mussel farming has been practiced at an experimental stage around the country for some time and entrepreneurs have mastered cultivation methods that are suitable for Icelandic conditions and the first companies are starting a development based on that development.
In Europe and Canada, mussel farming is an entrenched food industry and Icelanders benefit from having access to technology that has already been developed for the cultivation and processing of mussels. Conditions in Iceland are not always comparable, however, and development work in Iceland has involved adapting technology to Icelandic conditions.
Mussel farming in Iceland has mostly been based on larval collection, later in the production process the shell has been sized and placed in socks that are placed for further breeding on lines in the sea. The main objectives of the AVS project "Shortening the breeding time of mussels”Was developing and evaluating a breeding method that has not been tested before in Iceland, so-called rotation breeding. This method involves collecting wild smallpox (<35 mm) after it has reached the bottom, sizing it, socking it and growing it on hooks / socks up in the sea. The divisional objectives of the AVS project were to assess stock size and recruitment capacity in experimental small shellfish fishing areas in Hvalfjörður and to absorb cadmium in mussels after transport and in further breeding.
The results of this study revealed that a considerable amount of fishable mussels is present in Hvalfjörður. It is clear, however, that the mainstay of this strain are large shells that are not suitable for further cultivation. This can be improved by greasing the trunk so that space is created for small shells to settle.
Less was found of shells in Breiðafjörður, but it was smaller than the shells in Hvalfjörður and was therefore better suited for exchange breeding. A good result was achieved by continuing to grow this shell in Eyjafjörður and it was possible to harvest it there just over a year later, as it had reached market size. With larval collection, it takes the shell 2-3 years to reach market size, but by collecting wild small shells, it can be made to reach market size in one year. Significant value creation could involve utilizing previously unused stocks and shortening the mussel's breeding season by at least one year. However, the uptake of cadmium in mussels can be a problem after transport and in further cultivation, and it is important to monitor the concentration of cadmium in mussels before entering the market.
Cultivation can also be useful in addition to traditional breeding, especially if traditional larval collection has been lost for some reason. The results of this project can therefore be used for more than shortening the growing season and can play a key role in the development of mussel farming around the country.
For further information Helga Gunnlaugsdóttir.