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