BALTIC ECOMUSSEL
Commercial mussel farming, processing and end-use in the Baltic Sea Region
- Thematic cluster:
- SMEs Vigorous sea
- Programme:
- Central Baltic Programme
- Priority:
- 2. Economically competitive and innovative region
- Direction of support:
- Supporting innovation and improving competitiveness
- Duration:
- Jan 2012 - Dec 2013 (2 years, 0 months)
- Total funding:
- 723 051 €
- ERDF funding:
- 560 443 €
- EUSBSR Priority area
- Reinforcing sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the growth of SMEs
- Website:
- http://www.energiost.se/en/projekt/avslutade-projekt/baltic-eco-mussel/home
Development idea
In recent years, several pilot projects have studied whether commercial mussel farming is possible in the Baltic Sea. These research initiatives have shown positive results, suggesting significant potential for job creation and numerous environmental benefits especially when it comes to the status of the Baltic Sea.
Aim of the project
The main objective of the project BalticEcoMussel was to support the development of commercial mussel farms in in the Baltic Sea and thereby stimulate sustainable economic development in coastal areas. In addition, as the introduction of a mussel farm industry in the Baltic Sea region would remove nutrients from the sea the project indirectly contributed to the reduction of the negative consequences of eutrophication. Moreover, it included a range of strategic analyses to ensure that commercialisation of mussel farming would be carried out in an efficient and sustainable manner.
Main project activities
An analysis of the main obstacles from a legislative and regulatory point of view (LV, FI, SE) was one of the main outcomes. In addition, the project surveyed and tested different techniques for mussel farming in the harsh conditions of the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, the project developed model business plans that could support potential mussel farmers when estimating the financial possibilities to start farming of mussels. Another important contribution from the project was the analyses about the possible socio-economic and environmental impacts of large-scale mussel farming. The results of all these studies are gathered in the main project report or “toolkit” of the project (appr. 400 pages). Finally, the project also carried out some pilot studies of mussel farming both in Latvia and Finland.
Partners
East Sweden Energy Agency
- Country:
- Sweden
- Region:
- Östergötland
- ERDF funding:
- 295 365 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 99 245 €
Novia University of Applied Sciences
- Country:
- Finland
- Region:
- Uusimaa
- ERDF funding:
- 105 712 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 35 238 €
Latvian Environmental Investment Fund
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Riga
- ERDF funding:
- 88 400 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 15 600 €
Kurzeme Planning Region
- Country:
- Latvia
- Region:
- Kurzeme
- ERDF funding:
- 70 966 €
- Amount of eligible national funding:
- 12 525 €
Results
Report on promotion of mussel farming in the Central Baltic region
The project compiled extensive information about the possibilities to farm mussel in the Central Baltic coastal waters. The results were compiled both in an extensive final report and a more popular short version.
The final report covers themes like: Environmental Aspects of Mussel Farming, Socio Economic Studies, Technical and Financial Studies (incl. model business plans), Legislative conditions.
Final report (ENG)
Popular version (ENG)
