Mussel Bed Mapping
Mussel beds are retreating deeper into the ocean. You can help keep track of them.
Mussel beds are inching towards more subtidal zones, and are becoming harder to spot. During extreme low tides, you might be able to catch a glimpse. Send us your photos of mussel beds during low tides, and we will develop an acoustic mapping plan so we can keep track of where they are.
Project Goals:
- Collect geolocated photos of mussel beds during very low tides.
- Use the data to inform ongoing acoustic scanning research.
- Update regional maps of mussel beds — they haven't been mapped in more than 20 years.
We need your help!
On days with negative or very low tides, within an hour of low tide, you can support ongoing research efforts by going out to the coast and taking photos. Submit your photos and whether or not you saw mussels through the form below.
For years now, mussel beds have been moving further offshore from the intertidal zone to the subtidal zone. The intertidal zone is the area where the ocean meets the land between high and low tides. The subtidal zone is below mean low tide and is rarely exposed. Maine mussel farmers have been able to collect baby mussels still swimming around to grow and harvest mussels on ropes. The mussels use their byssal threads to stay attached to the ropes which hang down from floating rafts.
Because mussel farms can still catch wild baby mussels and wild mussel harvesters have been able to find mussels in the subtidal zone, we know they are still around. The issue is that we can only see some of the edges of these mussel beds during extremely low tides. Another challenge is that the last time mussel beds were mapped was in the early 2000s by Maine Department Marine Resources (DMR).
Our scientists can use active acoustics to quantify different bottom types by sending sound waves to the ocean floor and measuring the echoes. This is very similar to echo location used by marine mammals. This technique can be used to differentiate active blue mussel beds (Mytilus edulis) from other bottom types. In order to maximize time and effort we need your help to tell us where to go.
Very low or negative tides generally happen when the low-water level is lower than the zero point, tide height is measured with a negative number and is called a minus tide. Tide tables are based on average tidal data obtained at a given location for many years. On any of these very low tide days, within an hour of low tide, we need folks like you to Show Us Your Mussels!
Contributing to this project is easy. Just head out to the coast, and take a picture of mussel beds (whether or not you see mussels), and send it to us through [hyperlink: this form]. Make sure to let us know with if you did see mussels, and where you took your picture.
Our scientists will aggregate your data and create a plan for where to take acoustic measurements to map out the mussel beds.
We welcome photos from all along the coast of Maine. Get out there and show us your mussels!
Project Team
Read More
-
![Blue Mussels, Golden Opportunity]()
Blue Mussels, Golden Opportunity
Blue mussels from Maine are both a special part of the ecosystem and an iconic seafood dish. People from here and away have enjoyed them …
Tidings
-
![Research Team Mussels Up]()
Research Team Mussels Up
Blue mussels have been noticeably less abundant in Casco Bay during recent years. Warming waters, invasive species such as green crabs, and other challenges have …
Tidings
-
![Five Steps To Support Local Seafood]()
Five Steps To Support Local Seafood
Here are five simple steps you can take to support the people and businesses who work so hard to provide us with delicious local seafood.
Perspectives
-
![2022 Sustainable Seafood Impact Report]()
2022 Sustainable Seafood Impact Report
We want to keep you updated on our sustainable seafood team's progress, so we've developed a report showcasing some of their biggest achievements from 2022.
Announcements
