NZ-farmed shellfish match tofu’s low carbon footprint

A just-released study by sustainability experts thinkstep-anz has found New Zealand-farmed shellfish have among the lowest carbon footprints of all animal proteins, similar to the footprint of the plant-based protein tofu. 

The study, co-funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Aquaculture New Zealand, is an in-depth analysis of the life cycle of farmed Greenshell mussels (Perna canaliculus) and farmed Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in New Zealand.

The study found that the impact of farmed shellfish (from farming to domestic retail stage) is comparable to tofu and their carbon footprint is comparable to or lower than all other forms of animal protein considered by the referenced study, including overseas-produced beef, poultry, dairy and eggs.

Read the full press release

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