Freshwater Pearl Mussel Ark Project

The Freshwater Pearl Mussel ark project is an ongoing partnership project between the Environment Agency, Natural England and the Freshwater Biological Association. The project was established in 2007. A national holding facility has been established at the FBA in Windermere, Cumbria, to maintain and breed threatened populations of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) from rivers across England, which supports the national plan of captive breeding and reintroduction to suitable rivers. The project has already achieved notable success with juvenile production and retention. The overall aim will be to have sufficient juvenile mussels from priority populations for reintroductions to be made from 2015 onwards.