AN INNOVATIVE trial using mussels to enhance marine biodiversity in Cockburn Sound could provide a model for ports around Australia to improve water quality.
A trial being undertaken by Fremantle Ports, partnered with environmental specialists Byssal and DevelopmentWA will seed approximately 20 tonnes (770,000 shells) of locally sourced blue mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) onto a selected rock wall at the Australian Marine Complex Common User Facility in Henderson.
Byssal director and principal scientist Dr Dean Thorburn said considerable development was planned in the marine landscape over the coming decades, and the company was looking for ways to future proof Cockburn Sound’s marine environment.
“We’re using healthy, locally grown mussels and applying a simple distribution method to help them establish on rock walls. If successful, it could provide a model for ports and other maritime environments around Australia,” Dr Thorburn said.
‘We are one of the first organisations to apply aquaculture for an environmental benefit. Currently Byssal has 50 tonnes of blue mussels growing at our mussel farms in Cockburn Sound and the equipment to grow up to 40 times that amount, giving us the ability to scale the project quickly if the pilot is successful.”
A Fremantle Ports media release said seeding will establish a self-sustaining mussel population, with pre and post-seeding monitoring to measure water quality and changes in marine biodiversity and provide a baseline for potential long-term ecological and community benefits.
Mussels are natural biofilters, capable of improving water clarity by removing suspended particles, excess nutrients and phytoplankton.
The release said the trial population could filter more than two million litres of seawater per hour - more than 23 Olympic swimming pools each day - contributing to healthier marine conditions over time.
“Beyond water quality, mussel beds create complex habitats that support fish, crustaceans and other marine organisms. They are an essential part of the Western Australian coastline’s food chain base which supports numerous species of fish. Additionally, their ability to bind to rock and each other via their byssal threads, can result in a reduction in erosion through stabilisation of seabeds,” the release said.
The trial aims to establish a self-sustaining mussel population that will: improve water quality through natural filtration; increase habitat complexity and biodiversity; support marine food chains and fisheries; and demonstrate how nature-based solutions can be integrated into existing infrastructure.
The mussels were seeded last week, with ongoing monitoring to assess mussel survival, growth and ecological benefits, including biodiversity changes and water filtering capacity.
Fremantle Ports chief executive officer Jodie Ransom said the project was in line with the organisation’s Sustainability Approach, focusing on a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable port operations.
“Fremantle Ports is committed to finding smarter, more sustainable ways to operate and this project is a practical example of how we can work with nature to improve environmental outcomes,” Ms Ransom said.
“Working in partnership with Byssal and DevelopmentWA, this project is an exciting opportunity to test a nature-based solution that could deliver real environmental benefits while shaping how we design and manage port environments into the future.”
“By exploring innovative, low-impact solutions like this, we’re strengthening the long-term health of Cockburn Sound and contributing to a more sustainable future for our port and community.”