Citation: Briggs, R.P. 1982 Community structure and growth of Mytilus edulis L. in Lough Foyle. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 82B: 245-259
Number of Pages: 15
Volume Part: 13
Keywords: Barnacle, Biogeography, Checklist, Community, Crustacea, Ecology, Fauna, Littoral, Lough Foyle, Marine, Mollusca, Population, Survey
Abstract: This paper describes the distribution of Mytilus edulis in Lough Foyle, an estuarine sea lough in the north of Ireland. A single mussel bed of c. 6000 square metres was selected and the study area sampled at monthly intervals during 1978-79. Quadrat samples were taken and Mytilus shell length, height, and width were measured and the associated fauna identified and counted. An assessment of the level of barnacle encrustation was made. The dimensions of the bed were monitored over a four year period (1977-1981). From this a management strategy for the commercial exploitation of Mytilus in this area is discussed.