Ambitious plans for future of freshwater pearl mussels in the Cairngorms National Park - Cairngorms National Park Authority
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Freshwater pearl mussels are one of our most important and endangered species and populations have been facing a steep decline. In response, the Park Authority is working with partners and land managers to develop strategies which will secure a brighter future for the species.
As their name suggests, the mussels are found in our freshwater rivers and they play a crucial role in improving the water quality of rivers such as the Spey and the Dee, filtering up to 50 litres of water a day which benefits a range of other species, including salmon, trout and otters.
Working closely with the Spey Fisheries Board and the Spey Catchment Partnership, the Park Authority are developing plans to move threatened populations of pearl mussels from the main stem of the River Spey to safer habitats in the upper tributaries of the river. Subject to licencing, it is hoped this work could begin as early as spring 2025.
Meanwhile on the River Dee, innovative techniques such as eDNA monitoring are being used to identify remnant populations and help pinpoint where action is needed. Led by the James Hutton Institute, this work is taking place following a report, commissioned by NatureScot and the Park Authority through the Dee Catchment Partnership, which revealed an approximate 90% reduction in the population of freshwater pearl mussels in the River Dee since 2002. The decline is thought to be caused primarily by the devastating effects of Storm Frank in 2015, where the violence of the storm not only swept much of the population away but also tore up the riverbed, leaving it highly unstable for mussels to anchor on. The current condition of the Dee makes it unsuitable for translocation of the mussels and alternative approaches are being considered.
Posted On: 26/11/2024
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