Galicia is a world power in aquaculture thanks to the extensive cultivation of mussels carried out in more than 3,300 rafts anchored in the Galician estuaries.
The rafts are part of the landscape of the estuaries. But … why are the estuaries an ecosystem in which the cultivation of mussels on suspended ropes has produced such good results? Is it easy to grow mussels with this method? How is it done? What risks does it involve? What is done with the mussel once it is collected from the ropes?…
The aim of this teaching unit, THE SCIENCE OF THE MUSSEL, is to answer these questions from a scientific and technological perspective adapted to the knowledge level of high school students. The unit is structured into 12 cards that seek to awaken interest, facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and show, with examples and experiences, what the work of scientists is like.
To prepare it, we had the collaboration of experts in geomorphology; physical, chemical and biological oceanography; estuary pollution; mussel physiology and raft culture; mussel processing and marketing; and the use of waste generated during that processing.
Scientific and technical staff from the Institute of Marine Research (CSIC), the University of Vigo, the Oceanographic Center of Vigo (IEO, CSIC) and the National Association of Manufacturers of Canned Fish and Seafood (ANFACO-CECOPESCA) participated in this initiative.