Draft River Basin Management Plan Workshop

Freshwater Pearl Mussel

December 2008

Freshwater Pearl Mussel

• Lives in nutrient-poor, acid to neutral waters of rivers flowing over granite or sandstone rock, mainly in the western part of Ireland, but also in areas of the south and south east where geological conditions allow

• They have a complex life cycle and mature between 7 & 15 years of age.

• The larvae (glochidia) initially attach to the gills of salmonid fish hosts which provide nourishment, before they become large enough for independent development in the river bed.

Background• Key objective of the Water Framework Directive

– to achieve compliance with any relevant standards and objectives for water

dependent habitat and species protected under the Habitats Directive.

• Freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera and Margaritifera

durrovensis) are on Annex II of the Habitats Directive

• Because they are particularly sensitive to environmental pressures, may

require catchment specific measures in sub-basin plans supporting basic

measures.

• Regulations containing environmental quality standards are being

developed

Quadrat Searches

Photos by Dr Eugene Ross

This is what shell length profiles should look like

Background

• The 2007 Habitats Directive Article 17 Conservation

Assessment Report

– concluded that all of the 27 SAC populations, listed in Annex II are in

unfavourable condition

– deterioration in water quality and, in particular, to the loss of juvenile

habitat in the substratum through eutrophication and siltation

– Programmes of Measures for these 27 SAC populations to restore the

water- and substrate-habitats to the quality required by fully functioning

recruiting freshwater pearl mussel populations.

Location of the 27 FPM Catchments designated

Sub-Basin Plans

• Undertake a detailed assessment of pressures in the catchments of

the 27 freshwater pearl mussel populations, identified in Annex II,

• Develop the necessary catchment specific measures and sub-basin

plans to meet the water related needs of the species.

• Plans must comply with the proposed European Communities

Environmental Objectives (Freshwater Pearl Mussel) Regulations

2008

• Plans developed in two phases

• Part of NS 2 contract

National Co-ordination

• National Committee established by DEHLG

– to provide guidance for freshwater pearl mussel sub-

basin plans standard set of measures which can form

the basis of the POMs

• Consultants role

– provide advice, reviews and studies as necessary

• Establish Freshwater Pearl Mussel Committee in each

RBD with FPM site

Methodology

FPM Sub-basin Plans: September 2008 – December 2009

• FPM experts - 55 years of planning & fieldwork experience

• Robust evidence needed to justify plan changesPhase 1• Database & GIS – collation of datasets• Desk study – comprehensive review of pressures

and indicators • Monitoring programme – based on WFD class systems

tailored to FPM habitats & prioritised to fill key data gaps in 2008

• Legislative & policy review – informing measures development

Methodology

• Assess key impacts• Develop generic/strategic measures:

– minimise pressures– prevent poaching– purchase subcatchments– captive breeding programmes– augment/remediate habitat

• Develop pilot plans for prioritised subcatchments

Phase 2• Monitor – to complete pressure & indicator datasets• Consultations – Phase 1 plans feeding into Phase 2 plans• Tailored catchment specific measures for each sub-

catchment• Further consultations on specific sub-basin plans• Final recommendations data, monitoring etc

Methodology

FPM Sub-basin Plans - Fieldwork

Qualified surveyors

• Margaritifera,

• macroinvertebrates,

• phytobenthos,

• macrophytes,

• morphology,

• siltation,

• fish

• physico-chemical support via LA programmes

Bundorragha River, Co. Mayo

FPM Sub-basin Plans – Write-up• Introduction• Status Nationally and in the Catchment • Pressures Affecting Status in the Catchment and Measures

– Modification of cultivation practices (agriculture, afforestation etc)– Taking / removal of fauna– Peat / Sand and gravel extraction / Mines– Urban and Industrial Discharges– Pollution– Communications networks– Sport and leisure structures (fishing) – Drainage– Erosion– Interspecific faunal relations– Climate change

• Summary of Catchment Management Plan

FPM Sub-basin Plans and WFD River Basin Plans

• Details from the FPM Sub-basin plans will feed into the RBMPs

• This will allow for more effective consultation both through the RBMPs and the NS II FPM consultations which begin in January 2009

• Public participation is also a key element in relation to the Freshwater Pearl Mussel Plans