Sweden: Blue mussel habitat is decreasing

Researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have suggested that climate change is responsible for the significant decline in blue mussel populations in shallow waters along the country's west coast over the past 10 to 15 years. The researchers have attributed this decline to a combination of overfishing and climate change-related factors, such as increased rainfall leading to altered water conditions and increased mortality of mussels due to extreme weather. Other factors contributing to the mussel decline include the increased presence of seabirds, crabs, and invasive Japanese oysters. The researchers have published their findings in the Journal of Shellfish Research and emphasize the need for more research to map remaining mussel banks and test various explanatory models.