d by mussels for years. But freshwater pearl mussels are nothing like their marine cousins. They can live for over 100 years making them one of the longest-living animals in the UK. However, they have suffered severe declines in the 20th century, and are currently listed as ‘critically endangered’. One of the few English rivers where the freshwater pearl mussel hangs on is the River Esk that flows along the northern part of the North York Moors and into the sea at Whitby.
Back in 2007, Natural England, the Environment Agency, the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) and a range of local partners established a detailed conservation plan for the species based on an ambitions captive breeding programme.
Today, I have seen the work being done with farmers along the banks of the river to reduce sediment and nutrient input into the Esk.
It’s not just because the mussels are critically endangered that such efforts are being made for the freshwater pearl mussel. They are also an important indicator species, so if we get the water quality conditions right for them, it will also have positive benefits for a range of other wildlife such as otters, salmonid fish (which act as a host for the mussel larvae), dippers and kingfishers. I learned today that the river Esk supplies the whole of Whitby with drinking water too, so it’s not just the wildlife that benefits from the cleaner water.
Despite the cold and foggy weather in Danby today, I pulled on some waders and went in search of the River Esk mussels. Guided (from the bank) by local expert Simon Hirst (River Esk Project Officer at the NYMNP) I was lucky enough to find one of the remaining thousand or so. As an added bonus we were also lucky enough to see salmon spawning beneath the footbridge at NYMNP visitor centre.
Hopefully in a few more years the river will, once again, be home to a thriving population that is able to sustain itself thanks to the improved scientific knowledge and the concerted delivery efforts of many.
The breadth of our work
Saving the freshwater pearl mussel is just one example of the science in my report showing how Natural England and our partners are making a real difference to our understanding, and conservation, of the natural environment.
Articles in the report cover the breadth of our work - the conservation projects for species such as the wart-biter cricket (page 33) and the dormouse (page 29), our work around climate change, protected areas (including the extension of the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks - page 45), geodiversity, and the marine environment (including the stalked jellyfish - page 50) so there should be something of interest for everyone. I hope you enjoy it.
If you have any feedback or comments, please do get in touch. You can email us on NEChiefSciReport@naturalengland.org.uk, or comment via Twitter @NEChiefSci