How Marine Biologists Build Mussels

* In response to a letter written by Roy L. Lay, “Marine Forester Flexes His Mussels (Dec. 19),” we would like to clarify the record regarding his statement that we are “obviously prejudiced against the Marine Forest Society and its many volunteers.”

We have absolutely no reason to believe that the volunteers or members of the Marine Forest Society are anything but honest and sincere citizens whose wish is to make the oceans a more productive place, to the benefit of everyone.

However, as marine biologists whose job is to oversee the research and development of artificial reefs off the California coast, we have concerns about the Marine Forest Society’s plans to construct a tire “reef” in the waters off Newport Beach.

Tires generated interest as a reef material during the early 1970s. They’re cheap and we do seem to have an unlimited supply. Unfortunately, the years have shown us that they make a very poor substrate for reef building, compared to other abundant and low-cost materials such as surplus concrete. We also want to clarify the second point concerning where mussels grow. The California mussel ( Mytilus californianus ) does not grow next to the sand in open water. Therefore, they will not grow on tires half buried in the sand.

Lay states that the photograph which appeared with the Dec. 12 article “Mussel Man Fights Hunger” shows fish, sea stars and even kelp growing on the tires. We have recently visited this site, to document for the Fish and Game Commission what is actually there. There was no kelp growing on any of the tires. The “kelp” which appears in the photograph may have drifted into and became entangled on one of the tires, as commonly happens with other obstructions on the bottom.

DENNIS BEDFORD

Marine biologist

California Department of Fish and Game