Initiation phase
The mussel seed capture installations (MZI) installations make use of the lifecycle of the mussel.
Mussel produce larvae in the spring. These larvae drift in the water for several weeks before latching onto a hard substrate. The survival rate of the larvae is much higher if the larvae can latch onto a substrate that hangs in the water, rather than latching directly onto the seabed. After latching on the hard substrate the mussel is known as brood and develops into seed. When the seed is large enough the mussel farming sector can use them for bottom culture.