Sanford Heavily Invested in Mussel Spat Hatchery to Provide Reliable Spat Supply
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [The Press] - April 23, 2015 -
Seafood harvester Sanford is breeding mussels like farmed sheep or cattle to produce millions of spawn for a steadier future.
The company opened a hatchery in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) three weeks ago, just before the firm shut its processing plant in Christchurch.
A combination of El Nino and La Nina weather had reduced the supply of wild spat - the industry's only breeding stock. The growth, or "conditioning" of farmed mussels had also been affected by the climate.
Hatchery spat is expected to be available in about 2.5 years, accounting for about 20 per cent of Sanford's production in the first 12 months.
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