However, he says there is sufficient juvenile salmon in the rivers for the freshwater pearl mussel. “Freshwater pearl mussels should be in every river from Donegal and all along the coastal counties right up to Co Wicklow. He specialises in freshwater ecology with a focus on protected species like the pearl mussel and the white claw crayfish. Ecologist Pascal Sweeney says the freshwater pearl mussel is facing extinction if action to save the species isn't taken immediately. “There are a lot of smaller rivers in Ireland that have freshwater pearl mussels in them but are not part of SACs - even though the mussels are protected under the Wildlife Act.

Source: Irish Examiner September 01, 2021 10:06 UTC