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The Provincial Growth Fund is to invest $772,000 in a plant in Marlborough to process blue mussels, which up to now have been an unwanted by-catch on commercial green shell mussel farms.
Regional Economic Development Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau says until now it has been uneconomic to process blue mussels using standard industry practices, and they have been stripped from the lines and thrown overboard.
Trials at Callaghan Innovation have confirmed the new plant can turn the mussels into a products ranging from proteins for pet food to pesticides alternative made from crushed shells.
He says the plant will be open to future joint aquaculture ventures with local iwi and private enterprise, including improving the use of Māori and other private assets.
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