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Ref:748/03 |
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united kingdom
- May 23, 2003 |
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University Gets
Mussel Research Boost |
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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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