Long-term management plans for mussel production (39121)

The purpose of this project was to point out areas suitable for blue mussel production—using Vejle Fjord as a study case area—in relation to environmental factors e.g. distribution of eelgrass, macro algae and benthos but also using input from the local municipalities, environmental NGOs, mussel fishermen and other stakeholders like e.g. anglers, sailors, canoeist, kayaker and divers and their use of the sea into account.

Based on input from authorities, environmental conditions like e.g. occurrence of eelgrass and concentrations of Chl. a were mapped establishing the basis for optimal location of fishery, relay plots and mussel farming. This was contrasted to local use of the Vejle Fjord and other recreational values. The two sets of information was merged a different areas in the Vejle Fjord were appointed suitable for various forms of mussel production.

Furthermore, the project also wanted to inform how each mussel production approach (fishery, long-line farming and on-bottom cultures) is carried out, managed by the authorities as well as the environmental impacts associated to the different mussel production methods in order to create local awareness.

During the course of the project, the information campaign changed local perception of mussel production resulting in a new local policy on utilization of the fjord for mussel production.

This project was coordinated by DTU Aqua and funded by the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries and the European Fisheries Fund (EFF).

Research area: Shellfish and Seaweed
Research area: Coastal Ecology