Performance of blue mussel culture in nearshore and offshore environments

Bivalve aquaculture in nearshore sites has expanded worldwide. Mussel farming productivity is commonly assumed to depend on survival and growth performance, which can be highly variable among spat stocks originating from different sites, even at a micro geographical scale. Using a traditional two-year production cycle, the productivity of neighboring blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) spat stocks that had been cultivated in such contrasted environments that are shallow lagoons and open sea sites has been monitored.  The observed survival (+ 23%) and growth (+ 27%) trends support the hypothesis that offshore cultivation represents a valuable strategy for mussel aquaculture development.