Fastnet

Country:Ireland
Site:Sheltered shllow bay, with long-line culture of stock.
Shellfish:
Stock species:Mussels

Monthly spatfalls

Key for spatfall groups

Key

Algae or diatoms recruited all year. Ascidians recruited from March to August and in December and January. Hydroids recruited in March, from May to July and from October to January, Tubularia sp. recruited in July and October. Blue mussels recruited from May to August, serpulids from April to August and in October.

Community development

Dominant Species<

  • blue mussels Mytilus spp.

Changes in Wet Weight

The fouling weight increased each year until October/November followed by a half year plateau and then a further increase. Weight accumulating every month was highest in winter and spring.