CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS TO MUSSEL AND OYSTER AQUACULTURE BIOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND BUSINESS: FOSTERING A CULTURE OF INNOVATION

The development of profitable mussel and oyster aquaculture in Maine over the past 45 years has required the development of a culture of innovation which finds solutions to challenges using a variety of approaches, ranging from research discoveries and technology transfer to home-grown ingenuity.  An understanding of the factors affection growth and yield on a farm must be translated into a profitable business plan and operations which not only solve culture bottlenecks but also provide resiliency in the face of new challenges.

A series of case studies spanning 4 decades demonstrates a tried and true method which involves:

1. A clear definition of the problem and how it affects operations.
2. See if somebody else has solved the problem and importing the solution to your operations with adaptations as necessary.
3. Development of a custom solution yourself with a team of the right people.

I will discuss solutions to a number of challenges which have been solved, including:

site selection, gear development, predation mortality, storm and drift ice damage, biofouling, mooring and anchoring systems, processing efficiency, mortality from disease, fecal coliform pollution, seed collection, upweller design, operation scale and labor costs.

Fostering a culture of innovation where problem solving, improvements in efficiency and cost savings are valued is a key element in shellfish aquaculture success, and indeed a big part of why its rewarding.