0.50 and 1.96 € kg
−1 . According to the development of the market price of Blue
mussels, a price of 1.0 € kg
−1 of mussels was used in the base scenario (SFA 2008).
Thus, a single longline could have a production value of 16,750 €
(1,000 € Â 16.75 metric tons) and a single mussel plot of approx. 1,190,000 €
(1,000 € Â 1190 metric tons).
The cost of longlines including the complete harness is the sum of various
individual costs and levels around 15.80 € meter
−1 of longline (including collectors, mooring constructions, connecting pieces for the entire longline device, such
as shackles, swivels, rings as well as the complete buoyancy). Costs were calculated
by Sahr (2006) using the equations for the definition of key cost data published in
Pelz (1974). This leads to an overall investment cost of approximately 835,500 €
single mussel plot
−1 every four years. In line with the estimates of Whitmarsh et al.
(2006) the operating life expectancy is assumed to be four years for longlines and
collectors, six years for buoyancy, and 10 years for anchors. A vessel adapted for
performing offshore operations is needed. In the base scenario, an investment in a
new vessel (45 m class, 430 GRT, 500 kW) for around 4 million € (Sahr 2006),
including all necessary equipment for longline cultivation, was assumed. This case
also includes a complete motor overhaul after 10 years with 385,000 € (assuming
motor costs to be 17.5% of total vessel investment and retrofitting to be 55% of the
amount of 17.5%; Sahr 2006). Because the mussel farmer community already
disposes of mussel farming cutters used for bottom culture, we also calculated the
NPV with the assumption of using existing capacities of mussel farmers.
Investment will then be reduced to the retrofitting of the vessel only, which was
calculated with costs of about 750,000 € (Sahr 2006). Capital investment costs
include the costs of a land facility for the purpose of equipment storage and for
carrying out land-based activities, such as tying and repairing collectors and other
equipment. Investment costs for a land facility are assumed to be 1,500,000 €.
Licensing costs for a single mussel plot at the offshore site Nordergründe is based
upon the scale of charges and fees of the State of Lower Saxony (NKüFischO
2006). Following the fees for mussel license areas, only the bureaucratic work load
will be charged, which was calculated by the State Fisheries Agency (SFA) in
Bremerhaven with a nonrecurring charge of approximately 1,000 € (personal
communication with Brandt from SFA). Miscellaneous fixed costs (e.g., insurance
premiums) are assumed to be 5% of depreciation leading to a total sum of
151,127 € in four years. Interest on fixed capital is 232,951 € for a four-year period.
Total fixed costs were 3,560,817 €.
11.6.3.1 Operation Costs
The experience of the bottom-culture aquaculturists indicates that approximately
70 days per year are needed for labour at four culture plots, amounting altogether to
280 offshore working days in four years. Taking into account 61.8% of full load
engine performance in a 24 h day, fuel costs per day at sea are estimated to be
1200 € (Gloy 2006; Sahr 2006). This totals 84,000 € per year or 336,000 € in four
11 The German Case Study: Pioneer Projects of Aquaculture …
333
−1 . According to the development of the market price of Blue
mussels, a price of 1.0 € kg
−1 of mussels was used in the base scenario (SFA 2008).
Thus, a single longline could have a production value of 16,750 €
(1,000 € Â 16.75 metric tons) and a single mussel plot of approx. 1,190,000 €
(1,000 € Â 1190 metric tons).
The cost of longlines including the complete harness is the sum of various
individual costs and levels around 15.80 € meter
−1 of longline (including collectors, mooring constructions, connecting pieces for the entire longline device, such
as shackles, swivels, rings as well as the complete buoyancy). Costs were calculated
by Sahr (2006) using the equations for the definition of key cost data published in
Pelz (1974). This leads to an overall investment cost of approximately 835,500 €
single mussel plot
−1 every four years. In line with the estimates of Whitmarsh et al.
(2006) the operating life expectancy is assumed to be four years for longlines and
collectors, six years for buoyancy, and 10 years for anchors. A vessel adapted for
performing offshore operations is needed. In the base scenario, an investment in a
new vessel (45 m class, 430 GRT, 500 kW) for around 4 million € (Sahr 2006),
including all necessary equipment for longline cultivation, was assumed. This case
also includes a complete motor overhaul after 10 years with 385,000 € (assuming
motor costs to be 17.5% of total vessel investment and retrofitting to be 55% of the
amount of 17.5%; Sahr 2006). Because the mussel farmer community already
disposes of mussel farming cutters used for bottom culture, we also calculated the
NPV with the assumption of using existing capacities of mussel farmers.
Investment will then be reduced to the retrofitting of the vessel only, which was
calculated with costs of about 750,000 € (Sahr 2006). Capital investment costs
include the costs of a land facility for the purpose of equipment storage and for
carrying out land-based activities, such as tying and repairing collectors and other
equipment. Investment costs for a land facility are assumed to be 1,500,000 €.
Licensing costs for a single mussel plot at the offshore site Nordergründe is based
upon the scale of charges and fees of the State of Lower Saxony (NKüFischO
2006). Following the fees for mussel license areas, only the bureaucratic work load
will be charged, which was calculated by the State Fisheries Agency (SFA) in
Bremerhaven with a nonrecurring charge of approximately 1,000 € (personal
communication with Brandt from SFA). Miscellaneous fixed costs (e.g., insurance
premiums) are assumed to be 5% of depreciation leading to a total sum of
151,127 € in four years. Interest on fixed capital is 232,951 € for a four-year period.
Total fixed costs were 3,560,817 €.
11.6.3.1 Operation Costs
The experience of the bottom-culture aquaculturists indicates that approximately
70 days per year are needed for labour at four culture plots, amounting altogether to
280 offshore working days in four years. Taking into account 61.8% of full load
engine performance in a 24 h day, fuel costs per day at sea are estimated to be
1200 € (Gloy 2006; Sahr 2006). This totals 84,000 € per year or 336,000 € in four
11 The German Case Study: Pioneer Projects of Aquaculture …
333