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Pole cultivation is most common in France and it is said that
it has its origins when an Irish sailor, Patrick Walton, wanted to
catch sea birds by using a net that was hung up on a serie of poles.
The story originates from 1235 and the Irish sailor did not catch
many birds, but on the other hand a great many blue mussels grew on
the poles. Stout poles, commonly of oak, are driven into the bottom
of long shallow bays within relatively protected areas. These poles
are placed in such a way so that at high tide they are completely
submerged, but at low tide are left dry so that harvesting can take
place. To give the mussels as much space as possible, the outer layer
of mussels is removed and transplanted onto new poles. This process
is repeated several times during their life time before they are finally
harvested. In some areas of France, ropes are wound around the poles
to increase their surface area and make it easier for imported blue
mussel larvae to attach themselves.
In areas with small tidal variations and no winter ice, another cultivation
method is possible. A framework with loose hanging ropes is either
supported by poles or anchored on a cliff face above the waterline.
Even with this method of cultivation, small mussels are brought from
tidal areas and attached to the ropes.
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