Posted on by Shaun

Browns Island Mussel Reefs

Or what is left of them! Even the oysters are swamped by mud from the Tamaki estuary. Wikipedia needs updating:

“The flatter areas to the west have very large part submerged mussel beds which extent out 100 m (328 ft) from the shore preventing easy landing”.

Now the exposed rocks are surrounded by thick mud.

Some green mussels in the large clumps. They were not often dominant.
Some green mussels in the large clumps. They were not often dominant.
Most of the solo green lipped mussels were around 9-10cm.
Most of the solo green lipped mussels were around 9-10cm.
At least 50% of the mussels were blue, of the mussel groups at least 80% of those individuals were blue.
At least 50% of the mussels were blue, of the mussel groups at least 80% of those individuals were blue.
The water was very dirty. It had not rained for at least a day or two.
The water was very dirty. It had not rained for at least a day or two.
This mussel and ambitious eleven armed starfish look like they are suffocating.
This mussel and ambitious eleven armed starfish look like they are suffocating.
Most mussels were above the low tide line. I know this a feature of blue mussels but why were the green mussel following suit? I made the same observation on the Mission Bay reefs.
Most mussels were above the low tide line. I know this a feature of blue mussels but why were the green mussel following suit? I made the same observation on the Mission Bay reefs.
Another example
Another example