Applying proven aquafarming practices to build resilience and restore long-term ecological balance in marine environments.

Up and Running

100 hectare lease

secured in Cockburn Sound

8 kilometres

of bio-rope deployed

80 tonnes of mussel

currently growing

Troubled waters

Action is needed

Marine ecosystems face mounting threats from climate change, pollution, urban and industrial developments and habitat degradation.

These stressors impact ecosystem health, reduce biodiversity and place species diversity and abundances at risk. They reduce the social and economic value to local communities who deserve and expect healthy oceans. Collectively, these stressors weaken the resilience of marine ecosystems, making them less able to recover from disturbances and adapt to environmental changes.

The byssal solution

Restorative Aquaculture

Byssal is amplifying the biomass of native marine species, such as mussels, oysters and seagrasses, using proven aquaculture techniques in affected marine habitats to rebuild biodiversity and rebalance local ecosystem health! Restorative aquaculture provides direct ecological benefits to the environment, with the potential to generate net-positive environmental outcomes.

Byssal has acquired an existing 100ha aquaculture lease in Cockburn Sound. It owns hundreds of kilometres of bio-ropes used to grow bivalve molluscs (such as the Blue Mussel), as well as support vessels, dive equipment and processing machinery required to take the aquafarm to full scale operation. At present over 8 kilometres of bio-rope has been installed and production has begun with the successful capture of Blue Mussel spat.

Flexing Your Mussels

Utilising native Blue Mussels (Mytilus spp.) presents a low-impact, high-benefit solution to modern day challenges. Mussels are natural filter feeders, capable of removing excess nutrients, sediments, and even microplastics from the water column. A single mussel can filter over 70 litres per day, meaning these native bio-filters can significantly elevate water quality and help reduce the risk of damaging algal blooms by removing waterborne particulates. At full capacity our aquafarm has the potential to filter 2880 megalitres of water per day, the equivalent of 1152 Olympic swimming pools.  This means the aquafarm can filter the waters of Cockburn Sound in its entirety over 2.5 times each year. This is a tangible, measurable improvement — the kind our ocean urgently needs.

Beyond water filtration, mussel aquaculture can play a vital role in ecosystem restoration by creating complex underwater structures, mussel lines mimic natural reef systems, offering shelter, nursery areas, and feeding and breeding grounds for various species. In degraded areas, mussel farming can help rewild local ecosystems and support the recovery of native populations. When integrated with environmental monitoring and community stewardship, mussel aquaculture becomes a powerful tool for regenerating marine ecosystems while providing sustainable economic opportunities for coastal communities.

Research: How Mussel Farms Benefit Snapper & Marine Ecosystems

Recent research shows that coastal mussel farms provide rich habitats that improve fish health, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem productivity.

Snapper Grow Larger & Healthier in Mussel Farms

Research comparing snapper living inside mussel farms versus natural habitats found that fish inside farms were significantly fatter and better conditioned, reflecting improved feeding opportunities and habitat structure.

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Mussel Farms Influence Snapper Diets

This study analysed snapper diets within green-lipped mussel farms and nearby soft-sediment environments. Snapper inside farms consumed more diverse and abundant prey, demonstrating the habitat’s role as a productive feeding ground.

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Regenerative Aquaculture Improves Marine Ecosystems

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) partnered with universities in Australia and the USA to assess the ecological value of bivalve and seaweed farms. Their review found that farming enhances biodiversity, supports healthier fish and invertebrate communities, and improves habitat complexity.

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“Across multiple regions, mussel farms consistently support more fish and invertebrates than surrounding areas. Mussel farms attract about 3.6× more marine life compared to nearby locations.”

– The Responsible Seafood Advocate, 2021

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