The Pearl Mussel Project (PMP) has published details of its pearl mussel programme for 2020. There are eight catchments in the programme including Bundorragha river, Mayo; Caragh lake, Kerry; Currane lough, Kerry; Dawros river, Galway; Glaskeelan river, Donegal; Kerry Blackwater river, Kerry; Owenriff river, Galway; and Ownagappul river, Cork.

Online maps have been updated at www.pearlmuscleproject.ie showing these priority commonages and the catchment area for the 2020 programme.

Farmers with lands within these areas are eligible to join the programme. The area of commonage in the PMP will increase from 5,000ha to 12,000ha.

The PMP is a results-based agri-environmental programme that rewards farmers for environmental services provided by their lands

There is extensive data available on the website under the heading ‘farmer resources’. This includes a list of PMP-approved farm advisers, an information booklet, further information relating to the list of priority commonages, a list of supporting actions and, most importantly, an expression of interest form.

This form must be completed and submitted by the closing date of 29 February 2020. Participants will be required to formally nominate an approved PMP adviser on entry to the programme.

The PMP is a results-based agri-environmental programme that rewards farmers for environmental services provided by their lands. Peatland, grassland and woodland habitats are used as an indicator of quality.

Habitats

The programme document says the higher the quality of habitats, the higher payments will be. The quality of watercourses assessed through a whole-farm assessment will also influence the final payment. There are also supporting actions and voluntary measures that farmers can take to improve the quality of habitats, which in turn will influence the payment rates.

Each participant will be invited to submit an annual works plan. It must be submitted via the online mapping system by your chosen adviser.

There are a six categories of supporting actions: livestock and grazing management, water protection and habitat enhancement, water protection (sheep treatment), farm access improvement, invasive species control and woodland establishment and enhancement.