ON MUSSEL CULTIVATION ON THE COAST OF 
NORTHUMBERLAND. 
With a view to encouraging line fishing by providing local 
supplies of mussel bait, we have made further inquiries as to several 
places on the coast, and started an experiment on the Coquet. 
Seaton Sluice was visited on 21st April. The available ground 
is very limited, and an examination showed that only a few mussels 
were lodged in the crevices between the stones of the pier in the 
harbour. The channel is certainly available, but is subject to the 
local sewage contamination. The larger space above the bridges is 
left a long time practically uncovered between tides, and would 
therefore not be very suitable for cultivation. An experiment is 
being made on the ground between the bridges by a local fisherman 
with Blyth mussels, and the result of that I shall endeavour to 
obtain. 
As the conditions seemed very favourable on the Coquet above 
Warkworth harbour, we decided to carefully choose some areas there, 
with the concurrence of the owners, for experiment. This was 
accordingly arranged, and with the aid of Aid. Dent, a quantity of 
Blyth mussels was put down. The mussels made very good progress 
in a short time, but the results, of course, it would be premature 
yet to attempt to indicate. We hope to extend the experiment on 
the Coquet early next year. 
In another section (page 3G) I have pointed out that a great deal 
of benefit would accrue to the Spittal and Berwick fishermen by a 
very simple method of transplanting at the mouth of the Tweed. 
We wish to try this method of cultivation as well on the Coquet. 
It is a pity that it could not be made some one’s business to do the 
same at Berwick. 
There is no doubt after Mr. Dent’s experiments that a similar 
method of cultivation at Blyth would produce very large beds of 
bait. 
But in all these cases, we suffer from the lack of legal protection. 
And until something is done in this direction, we shall be working 
under great difficulties. 
