EasyFarm is a complete and thoroughly developedsystem for the cultivation and harvesting of seedmussels and mussels in the vertical water column.This system was developed in 2001 by a jointventure of Prins & Dingemanse, Murre Technologies andthe TNO research centre. For Prins & Dingemanseas a mussel farming company it is essential thatthe availability of Dutch mussels is secured for thefuture. As an engineering works Murre Technologiesfocusses on the future of the international shellfishand crustacean sector. TNO has supported thetwo parties with biological expertise and research.

Mussel seed capturing system

Seafood solutions

www.murre.nl | +31(0)113-503080

Total solutions for food processingMurre Technologies

What is EasyFarm?

The harvesting machine has adjustable underwaterbrush belts, which can be adjusted as required. Itis possible to opt for a setting resulting in a cleannet (which means that everything is harvested) ora setting whereby only the fully grown outer layerof (seed) mussels is removed from the net. As thisharvesting process is performed under water, themussels in the inner layer are not affected by theharvesting at all, so they can continue growingundisturbed in their natural environment until theyhave reached the required size. For the purpose ofseed mussel cultivation this well thought-out methodenables harvesting to be repeated once or twice perharvesting season (7 months).

How is the harvesting performed?

More than a decade has passed since thedevelopment of the concept in 2001 and during thisperiod we have gained a lot of experience togetherwith our partners. From this basis a quadro set-upwas designed offering space to no fewer than 12systems per hectare (contrasting sharply with themere 3 systems operated during the single capturingsystem). Basically only 2 anchors are needed(instead of 8) for this quadro set-up, resulting inconsiderable cost savings, especially in terms ofmaterial and positioning. Obviously the cultivationyield is tested extensively, showing good resultsdespite this clustering!

www.easyfarm.eu

Murre Technologies B.V.Zuidweg 18-204413 NM KrabbendijkePhone +31(0)113.503080E-mail info@murre.nl

Developed byMurre Technologies

The basis of the system consists of a 100 metrelong net (which can be 3 or 4 metres deep to yourrequirements), held in position by a so-called floaterpipe. Both ends of the floater pipe are anchored tothe seabed. The mussel larvae attach to the net andthen grow into seed mussels there. When the seedmussels have grown into mature seed mussels, halfgrownmussels or mussels fit for consumption, theharvesting can be performed using the underwaterharvesting machine especially developed by MurreTechnologies.

How does the seed musselcapturing system work?

Quadro arrangement