University Gets Mussel Research Boost
COLLABORATION with the largest mussel fisheries in the UK has enabled the University of Wales, Bangor's prestigious School of Ocean Sciences, to win a three year research project to further develop their work on sustainable mussel cultivation.
"This exciting project builds on the success of our established and widely praised collaboration with the local fishing industry to ensure that mussel production increases in efficiency while minimising any potential harmful effects on marine life" said Dr Michel Kaiser of the School.Mussel fisheries in the Menai Strait yield the largest UK harvest with a yearly turn-over of approximately £6 million.The variable supply of small mussels and the need to consider the wider environment have prompted Bangor scientists to study the carrying capacity of the Menai Strait."This research will benefit the industry and environmental managers equally, and will ensure that we use the natural environment in a sustainable manner" said Dr Kaiser."Our previous NERC funded research has already influenced the way in which the fishermen use their harvesting plots to on-grow the mussels and has enabled fishermen to judge when they are over-stocking their plots".Worth £287,000, the grant is awarded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
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