142 Mussel Beds; flnir Prodncfivity and Maintenance 



Aberdovey is some 76,000 square feet^ which, if stocked to its utmost 

 capacity, would number a population of 9,196,000 individuals^. This 

 Tiuniber would suffice to fill, roughly, about 5659 bags. 



Number of Miisseh contained in a bag of 125 lbs. as determined by tveiffht. 



* This number is probably too high. The shells of these individuals were less thick 

 and consequently lighter than those of the other sizes given. By actual count of the 

 mussels (averaging about 2|") in a measure, three of which the fishermen count as one 

 bag, I estimated that about 1 100 individuals of this size went up to make a bag of 125 lbs. 



The average price per bag received by the fishermen throughout the 

 season may be taken at about five shillings, — sometimes rather less 

 and often above. Therefore, taking this sum as the unit value per bag, 

 the whole yield, as calculated above, should represent a value in money 

 of something near £1414. O.s. Od.^ 



If twenty men w^ere regularly employed in the mussel fishery at 

 Aberdovey throughout the fishing season of five months, counting this 

 period as twenty weeks, this sum of money, if equally distributed, 

 should mean that each man would earn a wage of £3. 10s. Od. per week. 



It must be admitted that such an intensive yield might prove im- 

 possible of realisation in practice, but the difficulties are not so insuper- 

 able as they appear on a casual consideration. Returns not very far 

 short of the figures given above might reasonably be expected if the 



^ This does not take into account walls, piles, etc., which afford a holdfast to hosts of 

 mussels of all sizes. 



- Thus, the progeny of a single female mussel, if all survived, would suffice to populate 

 the entire fishing beds at Aberdovey ! (see paragraph in another place). 



* It is e.stimated that about thirty tons of mussels were erported from Aberdovey 

 during the season 1916-17. At 5s. per bag, this represents a value of only £150. Had the 

 demand held, a much greater quantity could have been marketed, and, therefore, the 

 river is fairly well stocked for next season's fishing. Cooperation between the fishermen 

 is the great need of the local mussel fishery. 



