Now that four months has transpired since my Dec. 11 letter, “Mussel discs spoil beaches,” along with Mr. Ian Jefferds’ (Penn Cove Shellfish) reply on this issue, I am wondering if the mussel collection bin idea has been further pursued?

I am also wondering if Mr. Jefferds promotes that “mussel credit” can be obtained for turned in discs by aggressively advertising that fact? Had I collected all the discs I saw that day at the beach I would have received a very long supply of mussels.

These discs are a significant source of Penn Cove beach litter that could be better controlled. Styrofoam, bags, rope, shotgun casings, etc., are not as controllable until the day people become more responsible. It is commendable that Penn Cove Shellfish claims to pick up this other litter when they do their “six to eight beach clean ups,” but I suggest if they are really serious this should be done about every three weeks instead.

Perhaps I was on the beach on the cusp of this six to eight week clean up, because there were scores of the discs everywhere and they were the most prominent form of litter. More importantly, can PCS do more to stop the discs from escaping the farm in the first place?

John Sharpe
Coupeville