Restoring Freshwater Mussel Rivers in England – Release of propagated freshwater mussels into the River Irt, Cumbria
This site is not the final version and is currently being tested. Any projects, sites and species data added to the site should be for testing only and will be wiped before the final version is released.
- Monitoring points:
- Species observations:
Test project
No
Project summary
The River Irt in West Cumbria is home to a population of freshwater mussels Margaritifera margaritifera, which are in decline. Previously boasting a population of several hundred thousand individuals, their decline is in part due to habitat degradation which prevents the completion of at least one part of the complicated life cycle of the mussel. As a result, there is no evidence of recruitment over the past 60 years, which puts the population at high risk of being lost from the catchment.
This work on the River Irt primarily focuses on habitat restoration, with special emphasis given to allowing the river to function as naturally as possible.
This work on the River Irt primarily focuses on habitat restoration, with special emphasis given to allowing the river to function as naturally as possible.
Overall aim
Rear juvenile mussels in captivity; Increase area of suitable habitat within catchment; Release juvenile mussels into suitable habitat; Refine release methodology and monitoring techniques to benefit future releases.
Name of species translocated
Margaritifera margaritifera
How many species?
1
Monitoring form type
Translocation generic records
Project timeline
The project started in 2015 and its conclusion and still ongoing. 70 individuals were introduced in 2017 and monitored in the following years. A further 2400 juvenile mussels were released into the River Irt.
Funding body
Environment Agency
Natural England
Project lead
Chris West
Project team - organisational or group members
Chris West and Louise Lavictoire.
Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), in partnership with the Environment Agency, Natural England and West Cumbria Rivers Trust
Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), in partnership with the Environment Agency, Natural England and West Cumbria Rivers Trust
Translocation aims
Species recovery (restoration to all or part of a species’ range)
Country
England
Region or locality
River Irt, West Cumbria
How many release sites?
1
External links
Species
Species benefits
Improved national status of species
Improved demographic status within population
Increased numbers of populations
Increased numbers of individuals in the wild
Ecosystem benefits
Improving water quality
Improved community diversity
Improved habitat structure
Other ecosystem benefits
Mussels are indicators of pristine water quality, so if a population is at risk, it’s a warning that the health of the river is not as good as it has been in recent history.
Scientific benefits
Improve translocation practice
Understand the mechanism of successful and failed translocations
Increase understanding of focal species
Biological risk assessment
Establishment following the translocation may cause loss/reduction of important habitat