Freshwater pearl Mussel (Margaritifer margaritifera) Erne Catchment Baseline Study

The project aims to complete the following works on the Swanlibar Waterfoot, Tempo and Colebroke Rivers:

1 A determination of the population size and density on the three river basins of the Erne catchment.

2 An appraisal of the physical characteristics and pressures on the main channels and tributaries. This will identify any suitable recipient sites.

3 Radox readings of the stretches where the existing mussel populations are and of the selected recipient sites.

4 Electofishing surveys of the areas mentioned in No. 2 to establish the densities of the 0+ salmonids. (A critical density of 0.2 fish per m2 is suggested (Zinganov et al, 1994)).