The ropes are being tested at integrated multi-trophic aquaculture sites both offshore and in sheltered areas. The mussel tests involve seeding juvenile muscles onto the test ropes and attaching them to rafts. They will be further submerged in September 2021 to complete growing into adulthood.
The mussel tests will conclude at the end of July 2022—representing one mussel lifecycle. At that time, growth, condition, composition, and presence of microplastics will be evaluated.
The seaweed trial was also seeded on to ropes and have been deployed at CTAQUA aquacultured labs.