IT IS HOPED that Ireland’s critically endangered freshwater pearl mussel is to be given an additional lease of life after the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht issued a 24-month contract to support its continued existence.

The €117,360 (excluding VAT) contract is for the “provision of full-time scientific support” to the department, as well as to a number of ongoing pearl mussel projects.

90 per cent of all the freshwater pearl mussels are believed to have died out across Europe during the twentieth century and has, as a result, been listed on Annex II and Annex V of the Habitats Directive.

Freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) are found in more than 130 rivers throughout Ireland. The population of adult mussels in Ireland is estimated to be in excess of 12 million.

According to the department, however, they remain in severe decline and are in many cases unable to reproduce because of poor water quality.

Read: Bray Sea Life to display largest collection of seahorses in Ireland >

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