The MuMiFaST project gathers European expertise on the value chain related to undersized non-uniform mussel biomass compared to mussels produced for human consumption. As either a new industry utilizing undersized mussels, or as one focused on maximizing production of heterogeneous mussel biomass, this marine bioresource can be produced sustainably, and exhibits promise in use as a high quality animal feed and in nutritious value-added food products. The primary needs for innovation in this industry are related to post-harvest preprocessing and processing of large volumes of heterogeneous mussels to a quality standard suitable for the aquaculture feeds industry. In this project the partners will develop advancements in the supply system of blue bioeconomy value chains of mitigation mussels between TRL3-6, providing proof of concept of new perspectives on waste reduction and utilization of the entire biomass towards production of highly quality ingredients for the aquaculture feed industry. Application of this undersized mussel model in a wider European context will be explored through the partner organizations here and broad stakeholder engagement.

Project MuMiFaST aims – Ruđer Bošković Institute (PP6)

-          Utilizing the filtration capacity of the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis for seawater column purification and bioremediation,

-          Mussel farming, growth of useful biomass, and production of mussel meal,

-          Increasing the utilization of non-concession shellfish farming areas,

-          Use of potentially impacted coastal waters and undersized and/or uneven mussel specimens.

Project Activities – Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Marine Research (PP6)

The Croatian project partner (PP6) is conducting activities to monitor the expected positive effects of mussels on the purification of coastal seawater – at the Cuvi location, which receives municipal wastewater from the city of Rovinj.

Research is also being conducted on fish: “The effect of commercial feed enriched with mussel flour on the growth and vitality of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) during winter and summer periods.”

To conduct these experiments, the CMR Animal Welfare Committee was established within LMNB, and a facility for experimental work with marine fishes was equipped and registered – BioLab (HR-POK-029, Decision by the Ministry of Agriculture, Directorate for Veterinary and Food Safety).

Conducted Research

-          Analysis of sediments and potential pollutants (heavy metals, PAHs, PCBs, microplastics) in the studied area – Cuvi wastewater outlet and Lim Bay (shellfish farm),

-          Monitoring mussel growth, proximate chemical composition, fatty acid composition, and analysis of potential pollutants,

-          Monitoring oceanographic conditions in the environment (CTD probe),

-          Analysis of growth, condition index, and vitality of mussels depending on environmental conditions,

-          Analysis of shape, strength, and mineral composition of cultivated mussel shells,

-          Genetic analyses of mtDNA and nuclear markers Me15/16 and preCol-D,

-          Biomass production – mussel meal for use in fish feeding experiments,

-          Feeding experiment on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) using commercial feed enriched with mussel meal during low (winter) and high (summer) temperatures.

Partners

Prof. Jens Kjerulf Petersen, DTU Aqua, Section for Coastal Ecology, Danish Shellfish Centre.

Prof. Cathal O'Donoghue, National University of Ireland, Galway, Socio-Economic Marine Research Unit.

Dr. Ramya Preethi Surendran, NORCE Norwegian Research Center Environment.

Mr. Klaus Astrup Nielsen, Hedeselskabet - Blå biomasse AS.

Dr. Jessica Jaxion-Harm, TripleNine Group.

Bjørn Aspøy, Smart Farm AS.

Dr. Harald Sveier Lerøy, Seafood Group