1904. Pattkrson. — The Common Mussel in Belfast Lough. 149 



diminution generally followed the big years, such a^ 1894 ^^^^ 

 1896, 1899 being no exception, although the quantity is so 

 large, as in that year newly-found beds continued productive 

 till over-fishing had its usual result. The recuperative power 

 of the Mussel is evidently very great, a couple or three years 

 apparently sufficing to restock almost exhausted beds. In 

 certain circumstances raking and dredging cause a great 

 destruction of the bivalves besides those that are taken. A 

 few years ago, when these methods of capture were in active 

 operation on some beds off Marino and.Cultra, a severe north- 

 westerly gale came on with the result that an enormous 

 quantity of Mussels, which had been forcibly detached from 

 their natural "moorings " on the floor of the sea, were driven 

 ashore at Cultra Point, where at high-water mark they formed 

 a ridge about sixty yards long, two yards broad at the base, 

 and between two and three feet high. 



In October, 1898, the Inspectors of Irish Fisheries held an 

 inquiry here, with the result that a close time for MUvSsels, from 

 15th May to 30th September, both days included, was promul- 

 gated. This I considered very desirable; but the Mussel-fishers 

 objected ; and, after some time, the restriction was either 

 modified or entirely removed — I forget which — the result 

 being apparent in the diminished returns of the last couple of 

 years. This year I saw several of the Mussel boats lying in 

 Conn's Water, laid up unused. 



The Mussels fetched 10s. per ton at the ship's side ; and, 

 besides those exported, some were used for bait by the Ardglass 

 and other fishermen, and some are locally used as food , so it 

 will be seen that the industry was one of some importance to 

 those engaged in it, and its recurrent decline, due in my 

 opinion to overfishing, is much to be regretted. 



So far written, a friend, to whom I was speaking on the 

 subject, lent me the " Report on the Irish Fisheries for 1902," 

 published by the Department of Agriculture and Technical 

 Instruction, on p. 70 of which are given returns of the take 

 of Mussels in eight coastguards' districts mentioned. I cannot 

 accept the figures there given as accurate — that for tlie 

 Carrickfergus district being 1,029 tons for that year, while the 

 official Belfast figure is 1,214 toUvS, or 185 tons more. It may 

 be that the Department's figures are accurate as far as they 



