Alternative materials for mussel socks

Mussel cultivation involves a number of different steps. In The Netherlands mussel seed is collected on ropes hanging in the Waddenzee. The seed is harvested from these ropes and collected. Subsequently this seed is used for the cultivation of mussels. This can be done on the bottom of the sea. But more than 95 % of all mussels produced worldwide are grown on ropes. In that case, mussel seed is attached to a rope hanging in the sea. While there are various ways to ensure the mussel seed becomes attached to the rope, a common one is by using a so-called mussel sock. This sock is placed around the rope and the space between the rope and the sock is filled with mussel seed. This allows the mussels to grow and adhere to the rope. After about one month, the mussel sock is no longer required to support the mussels and should then start degrading. If the sock does not degrade in time, it will hamper the further growth of the mussels.