A Tasman-based company has begun a one-year research trial aimed at reducing the number of mussel floats that get lost at sea each year. Working together with funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries, aquaculture float specialist SS Floats are developing an improved float and attachment method for longline mussel farming. The current mussel float models, which are made of plastic, are known to occasionally come loose due to adverse weather or tidal conditions. Ned Wells/Supplied An image of one of the trial mussel floats currently being trialled in Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. The new floats will be tested in the open waters of Golden Bay, Tasman Bay, Pegasus Bay and off the coast of Coromandel.

Source: Stuff February 25, 2021 15:56 UTC