A large field experiment to assess environment and structure interplay to optimise mussels culture!

These last couple of weeks I have been incredibly busy at work
Thankfully, not stuck in front of a computer but outside, setting up a large large scale field experiment which involved 24 tonnes of mussels, 96 round big steel cages, and a big boat with a crane to set it all up on a shallow marine area....


Why would I put myself up to this ? 
as some of you dear readers already know, I am currently doing my postdoc research working with mussel beds. 
I have already spoken about mussels as part of a sustainable diet before, (here)you need to refresh your memory or are new to my style of thinking... 
So - what will my experiment entails?


Well, my current research investigates the role of spatial organisation of the mussels and how it interacts with the various environmental factors (flow, food, predators..) to improve the mussels ‘wellbeing’ or better, their health, growth and condition. 
These results will be used to improve methodology of farming, to allow for a greater output. This is not only of benefit for the farmers, and does not only bring economic benefits but, in my opinion, it will help optimising space utilisation and thus the sustainability of the industry (which is already amongst one of the most sustainable fonts of animal proteins in my opinion). For example, by placing certain densities according to food levels, or seeding in a certain way according to flow direction, or removing predators at certain key stages (creating a new market for crabs? That would be for sure an added value)...