The Living Filters project highlights the power of collaboration to advance innovation and environmental stewardship in NewZealand’s blue economy. This groundbreaking initiative - a collaboration between Port Nelson, MacLab and the Cawthron Institute - leverages the natural filtration abilities of green-lipped mussels to enhance water quality in urban coastal environments. By uniting diverse expertise, the project aims to provide foundational knowledge to create a scalable, nature-based solution for cleaner, healthier marine ecosystems.

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Activation Through Partnership

The Living Filters pilot project was launched in 2024 to test the feasibility of green-lipped mussels for bioremediation in Port Nelson. The project focused on evaluating mussel survival, infrastructure integrity, refining data-gathering methods, and understanding the full potential of mussels to improve water quality through natural filtration. Moananui played a critical role in its activation by bringing together project collaborators and helping secure funding from the SustainableSeas National Science Challenge.

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Harnessing Nature’s Power

Green-lipped mussels, known for their exceptional filtering capacity, act as natural purifiers by removing particles, nutrients, and contaminants from water. With nearly 29,000 mussels introduced at Port Nelson, the project sought to improve water quality and boost biodiversity, offering a sustainable solution to address urban runoff and industrial pollutants.

"Greenshell mussels are natural filter feeders,"says Mark Burnaby, Aquaculture Manager at MacLab. "By filtering out algae, suspended particles, and even pollutants from the water, they help create amore resilient marine ecosystem, crucial for the long-term health of our coastal environments."

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Data-Driven Success and Future Applications

The success of the pilot project demonstrated that green-lipped mussels could thrive in Port Nelson’s waters, effectively contributing to cleaner waterways and proving the concept’s viability. The pilot project demonstrated mussel growth and adaptability, proving their suitability for urban coastal environments.

All project partners provided crucial expertise to implement and carry out this provocative initiative, including aquaculture scientists from Cawthron’s ShARP platform. “Our success with the Living Filters project demonstrates the incredible potential of nature-based solutions, such as green-lipped mussels, and key partnerships to transform water quality in urban coastal environments.” Says Dr Dan Crossett, Marine Ecologist, the Cawthron Institute.

"Each partner contributed their unique expertise to ensure the Living Filters project was both a reality and a success. At Port Nelson, this initiative aligns with our strategy and commitment to sustainability. By reducing our environmental impact, we are moving towards a more sustainable future.” Colin Devenish, General Manager, Environment, Infrastructure andMaintenance.

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A Blueprint for Global Environmental Stewardship

The Living Filters project is more than a local initiative—it’s a model for global environmental stewardship. By proving the viability of mussel-based bioremediation, Moananui partners are paving the way for ports and coastal communities worldwide to adopt similar nature-based solutions. This project aligns with our vision of a sustainable blue economy, where environmental health and economic prosperity coexist.

“This pilot not only proves what’s possible in Port Nelson but also sets the stage for similar initiatives around the world. By scaling this model, we can create healthier marine ecosystems and foster sustainable growth across the blue economy.” Jodie Kuntzsch, CEO, Moananui.

The success of the Living Filters project highlights Moananui’s ability to lead, connect, and drive impactful change. Through collaboration and shared commitment, we advance toward cleaner water, healthier ecosystems, and sustainable growth, creating lasting benefits for Aotearoa and beyond.

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