Artificial stream for breeding freshwater pearl mussels

An artificial outdoor stream channel is being designed to be built at Kielder Hatchery. It will house the population of 42 pearl mussels already in captivity at the hatchery where to date there has been no successful breeding activity. It is hoped that the more natural conditions (the mussels are currently housed within the hatchery building) will encourage the mussels to breed. Eventually allowing the release of young mussels to support the aging wild population in the Rivers North Tyne and Rede.

Lead partner

Environment Agency

Action plans that the project helps to deliver

Freshwater Pearl Mussel

Start date

June 2007

End date

March 2008

Funded by

Environment Agency

Who to contact for further information

Anne Lewis, Biodiversity Technical Officer
anne.lewis@environment-agency.gov.uk