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Spring has sprung, and it’s time to check in on our mussel mats!https://ozfish.org.au/event/musseling-up-encounter-bay-sa-oct-2026/
This hands-on monitoring session will involve inspecting mussel mats deployed as part of the Musseling Up for Encounter Bay project from the 2025 summer.
The monitoring will help us understand how the mats are performing, assess their condition and evaluate local fish and prey species associated with the mats. We are expecting small-bodied fish, crabs and bloodworms to have moved into our mats.
These were placed as part of an experimental trial to recruit native scorched mussels, a filter-feeding shellfish that clump on Encounter Bay’s intertidal reef system. These native scorched mussels are important filter feeders for our estuarine ecosystems. The filter the water, cycle nutrients and create habitat for other species, as well as being a food source for our larger recreational fishing species.
We will also be collecting any seagrass seedlings that have become attached to the mats for replanting. Local wireweed seagrass seedlings have barbs that have let them hook into the mats. While it’s positive to see, we’ll be translocating these to deeper water ahead of summer to give them a better chance at establishing new fish habitat.
No prior monitoring experience is required. Come along and get involved in restoring marine habitat in Encounter Bay. All gloves, equipment and monitoring materials will be provided by the OzFish team.
Why we’ll aim to keep you out of the water, it’s best to come prepared to get wet, bring sun protective clothes, and potentially a change of clothes and a towel. We’ll start at a single site, and depending on tides may travel to other mussel trial sites between The Bluff and Kent Reserve.
Registration is essential. We hope to see you there!
What to bring
- Closed-toe shoes that may get wet.
- Suitable clothing for working outdoors.
- Hat, sunscreen and insect repellent.
- Drink bottle and snacks.
This project has been funded by BCF – Boating, Camping, Fishing. Supported by the City of Victor Harbor and The Big Duck Tours.
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Event venue
Encounter Bay Beach, 88 Franklin Pde, Encounter Bay SA 5211, Australia, Victor Harbor
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