Marine bio-production and shellfish research (MarBioShell)

A network supported by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation in the period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012.

The main theme in the MarBioShell project is research aimed at evaluating the potential for production of line-mussels (Mytilus edulis) in the Great Belt (Denmark) to compensate for the present decrease in landings from Danish fjords and coastal waters.

Methods are being developed to optimize mussel growth, and modelling tools are improved to guide dimensioning of mussel farms.

In the laboratory, bioreactor technology is applied to provide controlled mass production of planktonic algae to be subsequently used in controlled growth experiments and bioenergetic and biochemical studies of food intake and assimilation in mussels.

In the field, comparative studies of actual growth and production of mussels of different size in selected areas in and outside the Great Belt region are performed with special emphasis on the importance of salinity, current speed, and amount of phytoplankton (chl a) in the ambient water.

Marked analyses are carried out to estimate whether product differentiation and consumer preferences contribute to the economic sustainability of the suggested new line-mussel production facilities in the Great Belt.

Business network and branding, as well as local innovation systems are surveyed and used in future investment decisions.

A research- and demonstration line-mussel farm is established in the southern part of Kerteminde Bay, close to the Great Belt. The research- and demonstration facility is a unique opportunity for all work packages within the MarBioShell project to work together in solving the main common task, namely to clarify the potential in the broadest sense of cultivating mussels in the Great Belt.

Besides of coordinating the research activities among the participants, the MarBioShell network intends to support a broader communication to and between national and international companies, research teams and public authorities. The scientific leader, professor Hans Ulrik Riisgård, is responsible for coordination and internal communication within the network.

Budget of reorganized MarBioShell

Total grant to the original MarBioShell project in 2008: DKK 13.455.419.
When the original MarBioShell project was split up DKK 3.646.906 were transferred to University of Copenhagen (contact person Bent Vismann, e-mail: bvismann@bio.ku.dk).
Grant to the present reorganized MarBioShell project: DKK 9.808.512

Management and steering committee

Management of the project and organization of the network is ensured by the scientific leader, professor Hans Ulrik Riisgård, in close co-operation with key participants responsible for the different main fields of the project consisting of 7 workpackages (WPs).

Steering Committee consists of Hans Ulrik Riisgård (chairman, SDU-NAT), Flemming Møhlenberg (DHI), Eva Roth (SDU-SAMF), Niels T. Eriksen (AAU), Jens Honoré Walther (DTU).

The steering committee is collectively responsible for: Overall coordination at the network level to ensure progress of the project and budget coherence. Approval of proposals for annual timetables and coordination with other relevant national and international research projects. In coordination with the relevant research schools, ensure research training, PhD-courses and collaboration with national and international companies, research teams and networks. Revise research plans. Observe all commitments to The Danish Council for Strategic Research. Administrate IPR and other legal aspects.

Work packages

WP1 – Production of microalgae

WP2 – Growth and bioenergetics of filter-feeding mussels

WP3 – Mussel farm models

WP4 – Mussel farm design and harvest

WP5 – Market analysis

WP6 – Networks, branding and regional development

WP7 – Cross-cutting issue: Research- and demonstration mussel farm

Publications

Peer-reviewed research publications from MarBioShell

1) Ahsan, D.A., Roth, E. (2010). Farmers’ perceived risks and risk management strategies in an emerging mussel aquaculture industry in Denmark. Mar. Resour. Econ. 25:309-323. Download pdf

2) Pleissner, D., Wimmer, R., Eriksen, N.T. (2011). Quantification of amino acids in fermentation media by isocratic HPLC analysis of their a-hydroxy acid derivatives. Anal. Chem. 83:175-181

3) Nguyen, T.T. (2011). Implicit price of mussel characteristics in the auction market. Aquacult. Int. 20(4): 605-618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-011-9489-x

4) Larsen, P.S., Riisgård, H.U. (2011). Validation of the flow-through chamber (FTC) and steady-state (SS) methods for clearance rate measurements in bivalves. BiO 1(1): 6-11. https://doi.org/10.1242/bio.2011011

5) Riisgård, H.U., Jørgensen, B.H., Lundgreen, K., Storti, F., Walther, J.H., Meyer, K.E., Larsen, P.S. (2011). The exhalant jet of mussels, Mytilus edulis. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 437:147-164. Download pdf

6) Riisgård, H.U., Egede, P.P., Saavedra, I.B. (2011). Feeding behaviour of mussels, Mytilus edulis: new observations, with a mini-review of current knowledge. J. Mar. Biol. 1: 312459. https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/312459

7) Dinesen, G.E., Timmermann, K., Roth, E., Markager, S., Ravn-Jonsen, L., Hjorth, M., Holmer, M., Støttrup, J.G. (2011). Mussel production and water framework directive targets in the Limfjord, Denmark: an integrated assessment for use in system-based management. Ecol. Soc. 16(4):26. Download pdf

8) Pleissner, D., Eriksen, N.T. (2012). Effects of phosphorous, nitrogen, and carbon limitation on biomass composition in batch and continuous flow cultures of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 109(8): 2005-2016.

9) Eriksen, N.T. (2012). Heterotrophic microalgae in biotechnology. In: Johansen MN (ed) Microalgae: Biotechnology, microbiology and energy. Nova Science Publishers Inc., pp. 387-412. ISBN 987-1-61324-625-2.

10) Thong, N.T. (2012). An inverse demand system for mussels in EU. Mar. Res. Econ. 27(2): 149-164.

11) Riisgård, H.U., Lundgreen, K., Larsen, P.S. (2012). Field data and growth model for mussels Mytilus edulis in Danish waters. Mar. Biol. Res. 8: 683-700.

12) Riisgård, H.U., Pleissner, D., Lundgreen, K., Larsen, P.S. (2013). Growth of mussels Mytilus edulis at algal concentrations below and above saturation level for reduced filtration rate. Mar. Biol. Res. 9(10): 1005-1017.

13) Riisgård, H.U., Bøttiger, L., Pleissner, D. (2012). Effect of salinity on growth of mussels, Mytilus edulis, with special reference to Great Belt (Denmark). Open J. Mar. Sci. 2: 167-176.

14) Pleissner D., Eriksen N.T., Lundgreen K., Riisgård H.U. (2012). Biomass composition of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, is affected by living site and species of ingested microalgae. ISRN Zoology 2012: 1-12. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/902152

15) Larsen P.S., Lundgreen K., Riisgård H.U. (2012). Bioenergetic model predictions of actual growth and allometric transitions during ontogeny of juvenile blue mussels Mytilus edulis. In: Nowak, J., Kozlowski, M., (eds) Mussels: Ecology, Life Habits and Control, 2013. Nova Science Publishers Inc., pp. 101-122.

16) Eriksen, N.T. (2012). Growth in photobioreactors. In: Razeghifard R. (ed) Natural and artificial photosynthesis. Pathways to clean, renewable energy. Wiley Publisher (in press).

17) Riisgård, H.U., Lundgreen, K., Larsen, P.S. (2014). Potential for production of ‘mini-mussels’ in Great Belt (Denmark) evaluated on basis of actual growth of young mussels Mytilus edulis. Aquacult. Int. 22: 859-885.

18) Pleissner, D., Lundgreen K., Lüskow, F., Riisgård, H.U. (2013). Fluorometer controlled apparatus designed for long-term algal-feeding experiments and environmental effect studies with mussels. J. Mar. Biol. 1: 401961. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/401961

19) Riisgård, H.U., Lüskow, F., Pleissner, D., Lundgreen, K., López, M.A.P. (2013). Effects of salinity on filtration rates on mussels Mytilus edulis with special emphasis on dwarfed mussels from the low saline Central Baltic Sea. Helgol. Mar. Res. 67: 591-598.

20) Hjalager, A.M., Wahlberg, M. (2014). Museum guests as contributors to regional food innovation. Mus. Manag. Curatorship 29(1): 50-65.

21) Riisgård, H.U., Larsen, P.S., Pleissner, D. (2014). Allometric equations for maximum filtration rate in blue mussels Mytilus edulis and importance of condition index. Helgol. Mar. Res. 68: 193-198.

22) Larsen, P.S., Filgueira, R., Riisgård, H.U. (2014). Actual growth of mussels Mytilus edulis in field studies compared to predictions using BEG, DEB, and SFG models. J. Sea Res. 88: 100-108.

23) Riisgård, H.U., Larsen, P.S. (2015). Physiologically regulated valve-closure makes mussels lomg-term starvation survivors: test of hypothesis. J. Mollus. Stud. 81: 303-307.

24) Riisgård, H.U., Lundgreen, K., Pleissner D. (2015). Environmental factors and seasonal variation in density of mussel larvae (Mytilus edulis) in Danish Waters. Open J. Mar. Sci. 5: 280-289.

25) Hjalager, A.-M., Johansen, P.H., Rasmussen, B. (2015). Informing regional food innovation through lead user experiments. The case of blue mussels. Br. Food J. 117(11): 2706-2723. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2015-0098

26) Larsen, P.S., Riisgård, H.U. (2016). Growth-prediction model for blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) on future optimally thinned farm-ropes in Great Belt (Denmark). J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 4 (3): 42. https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse4030042

27) Møhlenberg, F., Birkeland, M. (2016). Capacity for growing mussels in the Great Belt, Denmark – two years field study supported by numerical modeling (in prep.).

Reports (M.Sc., Engineer, Bachelor, individual study reports, conference posters) from MarBioShell

Nguyen, T. T., van Deurs, M. A., Ravn-Jonsen, L., Roth, E. (2013). Assessment of financial feasibility of farming blue mussel in the Great Belt by the ‘Smart Farm System’. Department of Environmental and Business Economics (IME), University of Southern Denmark, IME Report 15/13 pp.45.

Pleissner, D. (2012). PhD thesis. Bio-production and bio-energetics: bioreactorproduction of microalgae and growth of filterfeeding bivalves. (Available for MarBioShell collaborators via the login page).

Midway-report for the MarBioShell-project (2008-2012), approved 4 March 2011 by the Program Committee, Danish Council for Strategic Research. Download pdf

Pleissner, D., Wimmer, R., Eriksen, N.T. (2011). Derivatization of amino acids to corresponding alpha-hydroxy acids and their analysis in fermentation broths. Poster sesion presented at Synthetic Biology and Cell Factories, Vejle, Denmark. Download pdf

Pleissner, D., Lundgreen, K., Bøttiger, L., Riisgård, H.U. (2011). Potential for line-mussel production in the Great Belt (Denmark). Poster presented at the West European Fish Technologists Association meeting, Gothenburg, Sweden. Download pdf

Gouillard, C., Bruey, T., Mihoub, M., Koch, D. (2011). Algal Production and Aquaculture (Individual study activity, July-August 2011). Download pdf

Marzo, I.V. (2011). Continuous production of Rhodomonas salina and bioenergetic studies of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) with emphasis on fatty acids composition. Bachelor project from Institute for Chemistry, Bio & Environmental Technology, Technical Faculty, University of Southern Denmark.

Bøttiger, L. (2011). Growth of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, and effects of salinity. (M.Sc. thesis). Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark.

Pleissner, D., Eriksen, N.T. (2010). Continuous culture of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate Crypthecodinium cohnii. Poster presented at the 8th European Workshop in Biotechnology of Microalgae, Nuthetal, Germany. Download pdf

Eriksen, N.T., Pleissner, D., Isleten, M. (2010). Pigment and lipid synthesis in heterotrophic microalgal cultures. Abstract from 5th International Bioengineering Congress, Izmir, Turkey.

Johansen, L.A. (2010). “Faglig formidling i praksis – Formidling af MarBioShell-projektet til tre målgrupper.” (Bachelorprojekt September 2010). Biologisk Institut, Syddansk Universitet.

Sørensen, S.M.N. (2010). “Faglig formidling i praksis – Formidling af MarBioShell-projektet til tre målgrupper.” (Bachelorprojekt September 2010). Biologisk Institut, Syddansk Universitet.

Egede, P.P. (2010). Food uptake and growth of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) – a combined laboratory and field study. (M.Sc. thesis; September 2010). Institue of Biology, University of Southern Denmark.

Pleissner, D. (2009). Chemostat-aquarium-system (CAS) for long term investigation of mussel filtration and growth. (Individual Ph.D. study activity report, August 2009). Institute of Biology, University of Southern Denmark.

Støttrup, J.G., Dinesen, GE., Timmermann, K., Markager, S., Roth, E., Ravn-Jonsen, L. 2010. Integrated assessment for use in system based management: WFD nutrient targets and mussel production in the Limfjord, Denmark. ICES CM2010/B:09: 1-14. [Printed online September 2010].

Høyvald, A. (2009). Fedtsyrer i muslinger. Afgangsprojekt (dip. ing.) fra Institut for Kemi-, Bio- & Miljøteknologi, Teknisk Fakultet, Syddansk Universitet. Download pdf

Hansen, L.T. (2008). Blåmuslingers potentiale ved oprensning af havmiljø. Afgangsprojekt (dip. ing.) fra Institut for Kemi-, Bio- & Miljøteknologi, Teknisk Fakultet, Syddansk Universitet. Download pdf

Møller, M.K. (2008). Anvendelse af blåmuslingen, Mytilus edulis, i foder. Afgangsprojekt (dip. ing.) fra Institut for Kemi-, Bio- & Miljøteknologi, Teknisk Fakultet, Syddansk Universitet.

Lectures and presentations

Video abstract by Daniel Pleissner introducing “Continuous culture of the heterothrophic dinoflagellate Chrypthecodinium cohnii

Pleissner, D. (December 2011). Bio-energetics and bio-energy: Blue mussels as source for raw material. Presentation at the Marine Biological Research Centre, Kerteminde, Denmark. Download pdf

This page was last updated 6 July 2016

Participants

Hans Ulrik Riisgård, Prof., Marin Biological Research Centre, University of Southern Denmark

Niels T Eriksen, Assoc. Prof., Sec. Biotechnology, Aalborg University

Jens Honoré Walther, Assoc. Prof., Dep. Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, Technical University of Denmark

Eva Roth, Assoc. Prof., Dept. of Environmental and Business Economics, University of Southern Denmark

Anne-Mette Hjalager, Prof., Danish Centre for Rural Research, University of Southern Denmark

Hans Stubbe Solgaard, Prof., Dept. of Environmental and Business Economics, University of Southern Denmark

Flemming Møhlenberg, EED, Head of Innovation, DHI, Water • Environment • Health

Mads Joakim Birkeland, Biologist, DHI • Water • Environment • Health

Bent Lyager, Assoc. Prof., Institute of Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Environmental Technology, University of Southern Denmark

Daniel Pleissner, Ph.D. student, Sec. Biotechnology, Aalborg University/Marine Biological Research Centre, University of Southern Denmark
Dewan Ahsan, Ph.D. student, Dept. of Environmental and Business Economics, University of Southern Denmark

Thong Tien Nguyen, PhD student, Dept. of Environmental and Business Economics, University of Southern Denmark

Kim Lundgreen, M.Sc., Marine Biological Research Centre, University of Southern Denmark

Participating companies

Musholm Lax A/S, Gørlev (until 2010)

Nordshell, Svendborg

Wittrup Seafood A/S, Horsens

Ørbech en gros (Frydendahl Im- & Export A/S), Hvide Sande

News

MarBioShell (2008-2012) final report

Final MarBioShell report approved by Programme Committee 10 January 2012

Dyrkning af mini-muslinger i Storebælt – nye muligheder

SDU: Pressemeddelelse