S&S Floats have been leading innovation in the aquaculture industry since 2005.
Pioneers Paul Smith and Peter Solly have always looked for ways to make marine farming more sustainable. The company first developed a molding system to produce stronger and tougher floats. S&S floats have been successfully used in open water mussel farming in Golden Bay, Tasman Bay, the Coromandel and Akaroa regions.
In 2020 S&S Floats paired up with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Marine Farming Association to devise an improved float attachment method for long-line mussel farming. They wanted to reduce the industry’s reliance on plastic lashing, and in particular polyethylene rope.
The result was the Clamp Float. The unique clamp attachment eliminates the need for rope lashing, and puts an end to float loss, reducing the debris that enters the ocean.
S&S Floats is privately owned with roto moulding facilities manufacturing floats in Tasman Bay. In 2022 S&S Floats outgrew its Lower Moutere factory, and along with Smith Engineering moved to purpose built premises in Motueka.
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Case study
MacLab transitioning to the Clamp Float
MacLab grow and harvest green lipped mussels to be used in health products.
MacLab began trialling Clamp Floats in 2021, using them in their Tasman Bay and Golden Bay farms. They are now beginning to use Clamp Floats throughout their operation, initially focusing on high risk areas like end floats which are more exposed to wave action.
Here’s what MacLab’s Mark Burnaby has to say about the Clamp Float
“MacLab is very aware of our environmental footprint especially when it comes to plastic. In the past we have used lashing to attach mussel floats – it’s not perfect, we do lose floats and lashing.
The Clamp Floats are going extremely well. With the system of clamping, it doesn’t stress or comprimise the backbone which is important. Attaching a Clamp Float is an absolute breeze. We can put the floats on twice as quickly and it’s very, very easy. So it’s saving time, and allowing us to be more productive.
We want to be seen doing the right thing. From an environmental point of view, as the Clamp Float doesn’t use lashing. Over time, lost floats will become a thing of the past.
"Innovating is Smithy’s passion and he’s found a really good solution to a problem. He’s done some really good work and I’m sure there’s more to come.”