Preliminary results of plastic substitution in mussel farming with natural vegetal fibers

A preliminary experimentation to assess the technical feasibility of weaving mussel farming nets with vegetal natural fibers was carried out in the Mar Piccolo of Taranto. Hemp and sisal durability in immersion was tested. Hemp showed unsuitable due to a mass fragmentation after about 70 days. Sisal showed suitable for further experimentation, since remained intact also after 150 days of immersion. Farming nets made of sisal ensured settlement and growth both for juvenile and adult mussels, comparable with those obtained with traditional plastic nets.