Sustaining the ocean and its environment is in the best interest of mussel farmers on the Firth of Thames.

Sanford Ltd has operated mussel farms on the firth for about 10 years and said preserving the gulf was a core part of their business.

Sanford Ltd mussel farming manager Zane Charman says the company educated its staff on good environmental practice. Photo: Stuff

Sanford Ltd mussel farming manager Zane Charman said the company educated its staff on good environmental practice.

"We are passionate about caring for the environment and we appreciate the sea, that's why we work here," he said.

"We clearly understand the preservation of it is our future."

Sanford Ltd has mussel farms in various locations throughout the country and Charman said it worked closely with local councils to ensure the conditions of their consents were met, as well as attending an annual award evening that formally recognised the best environmental performers in the industry.

In response to rope off cuts washing up along the shore of the firth, Charman said they were continually seeking to further minimise their environmental footprint.

"We have a specifically designed knot that reduces breakage and allows the tie to be removed in a way that minimises the chance of it being lost overboard," Charman said.

Charman said the ties were removed with a knife and placed into a plastic bin on board all the vessels and then taken ashore to landfill.

However, Thames resident Dudley Peterson was still finding off-cuts on local beaches during his morning walks.

"We're at the bottom and they mussel farm up there and there is all the beaches and rocky areas," he said.

"What's on those beaches? It's going to be similar."

While Peterson admitted he couldn't be sure the rope off-cuts were coming from the mussel farming industry, he would like to see more done.

"It's something that should be contained on the boat, on the craft, if it is coming from the mussel farm. I can't see it coming from any other source."

Meanwhile, Charman said Sanford was continually seeking to further minimise their environmental footprint.

"We are working with rope suppliers to produce bio-degradable materials and we work closely with Ministry for Primary Industries in terms of biological risks."

- Stuff