Project Details
| Geographical location (NUTS3) | South-West; West & Border Region (IE) |
| Main Funding Source | Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 for Operational Groups (in the sense of Art 56 of Reg.1305/2013) |
| Project Duration | 2018 – 2023 |
| Total Budget | €10,000,000 |
This €10 million EIP-AGRI Project aims to improve the quality of watercourses to benefit the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. It is locally adapted, results-based and focuses on the top eight freshwater pearl mussel catchments in Ireland.
- You can find a full description of this project’s rationale, aims, objectives and activities on page 7 of the NRN’s ‘EIP-AGRI: Ireland’s Operational Groups’ Booklet. Please see: https://bit.ly/2Ptv0vA
- The EIP-AGRI Service Point Operational Group abstract for this project can be found here
Pearl Mussel Project – Participating Farmer Insight
The 1st episode of the Irish NRN’s Video Blog (Vlog) series on farmers who are participating in Ireland’s 23 EIP-AGRI projects located throughout the country featured Colm and Martin Gavin from Co. Mayo, who are involved in the Pearl Mussel Project. They explain how this results-based, locally led agri-environmental project is working on the ground to improve the quality of watercourses for the benefit of the endangered freshwater pearl, and also how it is making a difference at farm level by rewarding farmers for their environmental services, whilst having the freedom and flexibility to farm.
You can view this video blog here
Pearl Mussel Project – Lessons Learned to Date
Former Assistant Project Manager of the Pearl Mussel Project, Dr Derek McLoughlin, provided an update of the various innovative methods being tested by, and subsequent lessons learned from this EIP-AGRI Operational Group project at the EIP-AGRI Symposium entitled ‘Sharing lessons learned and how these might help to inform Ireland’s CAP Strategic plan’ at the Burren Winterage School 2020 held via Zoom.
You can view this presentation here.
Pearl Mussel Project – NRN Guest Blog
Dr Derek McLoughlin, former Assistant Project Manager of the Pearl Mussel Project wrote a guest blog for the NRN providing a unique insight into the origins and ethos of this innovative pilot agri-environment programme seeking to improve the quality of watercourses to benefit the endangered freshwater pearl mussel. Derek also highlights the importance of the project’s locally adapted, results-based approach in engaging and rewarding farmers participating in the project. You can read this blog here. This blog can also be found on page 21 of the NRN’s ‘Multi-Actor Perspectives: EIP-AGRI Guest Blogs – Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020’ booklet. Please see: https://bit.ly/3vW0qM2
Pearl Mussel Project Goes Digital
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pearl Mussel Project EIP-AGRI Operational Group has gone digital, using Zoom to hold meetings with farmers participating in the project. This form of communication is being used to ensure that safe social distancing protocols are met and acts as a way to maintain contact with the different project stakeholders. Recordings of these meetings can be found on the Pear Mussel Project YouTube Channel. Please see: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnLENePtB1JcjRM1vxIQiTw
Pearl Mussel Project – Publication Examples
Useful publications from the Pearl Mussel Project are available to download from the project’s website. Please see: https://www.pearlmusselproject.ie/resources/publications.html
Pearl Mussel Project – Contact Details
Pearl Mussel Project Manager: Dr Patrick Crushell
Pearl Mussel Project Email: Info@pmproject.ie
Pearl Mussel Project Website: https://www.pearlmusselproject.ie/
Pearl Mussel Project Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pearlmusselproject/
Pearl Mussel Project Twitter Account: https://twitter.com/pearl_mussel
