Mussel Farm

There are approximately twenty three active mussel farms spread across southern Australian coastal marine waters. All mussels are rope-grown using various forms of "longline" culture. Longlining is adapted to areas with high tidal ranges. This technique allows highly mechanized farming and yields up to 10-20 tonnes per hectare per year in Australian waters.

The longline system is almost invisible from the water’s surface. A series of floats on the water’s surface are attached to ropes dropping up to 5m into the ocean. These ropes are then connected to thick horizontal ropes called "backbones", usually up to 220m long, and secured at both ends by purpose built anchors.

Historically most Australian baby mussels (spat) are “collected” from the wild by hanging spat catching ropes in the water. Recently some mussel growers have been researching and developing spat Production in hatcheries to supplement or replace wild caught mussel spat and provide for a more reliable spat supply.

Details on visit a mussel farm incl photos, Google map link, any Youtube video if available. Link to Contact page to arrange)