Story: Aquaculture

Mussel farming (1st of 3)

Mussel farming

In early attempts at mussel farming in New Zealand, raft cultivation techniques were used. Young mussels floating in the plankton attached themselves to ropes hanging from the rafts and began feeding. In time, this method proved inefficient, as mussels suspended near the centre of the raft failed to thrive. It was also labour intensive. This photograph, taken in 1978, shows one of the early raft farms in the Marlborough Sounds.

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Department of Conservation
Reference: 10054453
Photograph by A. W. Mazey

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How to cite this page:

Maggy Wassilieff, 'Aquaculture - Green-lipped mussels', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4746/mussel-farming (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Maggy Wassilieff, published 12 Jun 2006