123 



MUSSEL BEDS; THEIR PRODUCTIVITY 

 AND MAINTENANCE 



(THE MUSSEL BEDS OF CARDIGAN BAY) 



By FKANK S. WRIGHT. 

 Zoology Department, University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. 



The present paper deals with some of the results of my observations 

 on the mussel beds of Cardigan Bay, from September 1915 to August 

 1917. These investigations were carried out on behalf of the University 

 College of Wales, Aberystwyth, and included an experimental trans- 

 plantation of mussels on a fairly extensive scale, in the estuaries at 

 Aberdovey, Barmouth, and Portmadoc. The Cardigan Bay mussel beds 

 had become greatly depleted through over fishing, which, in conjunction 

 with pollution troubles, had brought the fishery to a very low ebb. The 

 work has included outdoor observations, as well as more detailed work 

 in the laboratory. Although the Sea Mussel {Mytilus edulis, L.) has 

 received a great deal of attention in the past, and, therefore, some of 

 the facts, per se, contained herein may not be new, yet it is believed 

 that their presentation in an especial manner may be useful. The 

 laboratory work has been of a somewhat detailed character, and, although 

 a great deal of time has been devoted to it, much of it remains unfinished. 

 I refer more particularly to that portion which deals with the food 

 material of Mytilus, which, while it bears more or less directly upon the 

 subject-matter of the present paper, cannot be more than touched upon 

 here. It is hoped to embody these results in a separate paper at a later 

 date. 



The beneficial results to the Cardigan Bay mussel fishery which have 

 resulted from the restocking of the beds (in the spring of 1916, and, less 

 extensively, 1917), as well as the possibility of carrying out the investiga- 

 tions, are due to grants from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. 



The work was confined mainly to the Dovey Estuary. It is within 

 easy distance of Aberystwyth, the mussel beds there are easily accessible, 

 and a room was used as a laboratory within a few yards of the shore. 



This paper is published by kind permission of the Board of Agri- 

 culture and Fisheries. 



Ann. Biol, iv 9 



