Growth potential and constraints in the New Zealand mussel
farming industry
R.W. Hickman
Fisheries Research Division, Ministry of Agriculture and
Fisheries, Wellington
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1987, 47: 131-134
Rapid expansion of the mussel farming industry in New Zealand,
from an annual production of 300 t in 1977 to about 12,000 to at present
resulted from the introduction of the longline system. This simple,
efficient, low cost and aesthetically acceptable system allowed the new
industry to exploit the rapid growth rate and available supplies of spat
of the green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus). Spat supplies,
food availability and market expansion are possible constraints on the
continued growth of the mussel industry. The economics of growing,
harvesting, processing and marketing hold the key to the industry's
future potential.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Mussel farming; Perna canaliculus; longline; marketing
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Last Updated 03-05-1997
