Project Overview To support the rope-grown mussel sector, this pilot sampling programme is proposed under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). The project will monitor larval abundance, mussel condition index, and sea temperature variations across six southwest bays. These insights will help identify recruitment patterns and support better deployment of seed collectors.
Sampling is scheduled weekly from March to December 2025, with larvae sampling running for 28 weeks and condition index monitoring continuing over 42 weeks. Weekly results will be shared with industry through a bulletin, providing timely updates on larval stage, abundance, mussel condition and temperature trends.
The project aims to:
Assess limiting factors in seed mussel recruitment
Establish accurate mussel spawning periods
Support the industry in adapting production and husbandry practices
Proposed pilot sampling areas The pilot programme will run from March to September 2025 across six key sites in the southwest:
Roaringwater Bay
Dunmanus Bay
Bantry Bay
Beara Sound
Ardgroom Harbour
Kilmackillogue Harbour
Reports 
