Blue mussel processing plant funded through Provincial Growth Fund

Thursday, 16 August 2018

Blue mussels will be turned into blue mussel supplements for aquaculture feed at CFARMX's new factory.

A blue mussel processing plant is the first Marlborough project to gain funding from the Government's provincial fund, creating up to a dozen jobs in the region.

The small blue mussel has long been wedging its way onto green-lipped mussel farms and is usually chucked back in the sea as a worthless byproduct.

CFARMX directors Nick McMillan, left, and Ben Forrest are opening a factory in Marlborough.

But researchers have found the blue mussel can be turned into a valuable protein for pet food or aquaculture feed.

New company CFARMX has been granted $772,000 from the Provincial Growth Fund to set up a processing plant in Marlborough, with the location yet to be decided.

Blue mussels attach themselves to the lines of green-lipped mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds.

Once up and running, CFARMX will use blue mussels to create a dry, water soluble peptide for nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements.

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Director Nick McMillan said he was 'very excited' about the announcement, which meant the plant could be open before Christmas, if not early next year.

'We're very pleased to have the support of the Provincial Growth Fund, the Marlborough District Council and the aquaculture industry as well,' McMillan said.

He would visit potential sites and finalise supply contracts with mussel farmers over the next few weeks, he said.

Most of the grant would be used to order processing equipment, McMillan said.

The plant would initially provide seven fulltime processing jobs, and industry experience was not necessary as training would be provided.

The high-protein soup-like end product would meet huge demand from Australian companies producing aquaculture feed, amid a shortage of affordable, quality protein, McMillan said.

Eventually the company would expand into secondary markets, including a dry, water soluble peptide for nutraceuticals and nutritional supplements, and the Marlborough plant would then provide about 12 jobs.

The Provincial Growth Fund was designed to lift economic productivity in the regions.

New Zealand First's regional economic development under-secretary Fletcher Tabuteau said Marlborough was not a priority region, but CFARMX's application was 'incredibly innovative'.

'It is an example of a progressive enterprise that is economically efficient, will increase the environmental performance of the aquaculture industry, add significant value to a natural resource, and create local jobs,' Tabuteau said.

'Wise governments view the preservation and enhancement of the environment as sound economics. All environmental policies will be proactive, with a view to creating employment and sustainable wealth.'

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett said Marlborough's first grant was won through good working partnerships developed within the aquaculture sector and fostered by the council.

'I'm thrilled Marlborough is going to be one of the earliest beneficiaries of the government's fund for the provinces, thanks to the great work that has been going on within one of our most important primary producer groups - aquaculture.'

A future use for blue mussels emerged from a council-organised Smart and Connected Aquaculture forum in 2016.

Throwing blue mussels back into the ocean was free, but they spawned before they died, increasing the population muscling in on green-lipped mussel farms, estimated to cost the industry $20 million a year in lost space, sorting and disposal.

Dead blue mussels also affected the seabed, and dumping in landfills was expensive and could cause nitrate leaching and odour.

Smart and Connected Aquaculture steering group chairman Brendon Burns said he was pleased the forum achieved its goal of turning an environmental problem into an economic opportunity.