News

See all the latest news about the Pearl Mussel Project. Remember you can also check out the latest news on our Facebook and Twitter page (links opposite).

Farmers avail of supporting actions to help Pearl Mussels

PMP are delighted by the huge amount of work undertaken by farmers to avail of supporting actions on their farms over the course of the project. Clear confirmation of their support for the aims of the Pearl Mussel Project.

Supporting actions are voluntary measures that a farmer could choose to undertake with the aim of improving habitat quality or whole-farm score.

The final closing date for PMP Supporting Action claims under the project was the 30th of June 2023. 

A record total of 242 individual actions were claimed during the last claim period, bringing the total number of actions claimed over the lifetime of the Pearl Mussel Project to 760. 

The actions undertaken by farmers, including the installation of fencing, gates and water troughs made up the majority of claimed actions, but other completed supporting action  included livestock footbridges, invasive species removal, rewetting bogs and sheep dip alternatives. 

The completion of these farmer actions contributes to the maintenance and improvement of habitats in our catchment areas, which in turn has a positive impact on water quality and environmental conditions for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel.

Huge thanks to all farmers who undertook action on their lands

water trough 2
fence
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Job Opportunity - Catchment Officer 2023

PMP 2022 Job Advert

Job Opportunity - Catchment Officer (Agri-environmental)

Employer: The Pearl Mussel Project Limited

Location: Kenmare, County Kerry (hybrid working arrangements considered)

Job Type: 9 month fixed term contract, full time (to end March 2024) 

Salary: Attractive salary package, dependant on experience

Closing date: 30th June 2023

Role / Position: The Pearl Mussel Project is a locally led European Innovation Partnership (EIP) funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which runs a voluntary results-based agri- environmental scheme for farmers within eight priority catchments. The overall aim of the scheme is to promote farm management tailored to maintaining and improving the local environment with a view to securing the long-term conservation of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Ireland.

We are currently recruiting a catchment officer for the south-west catchments (south Kerry and west Cork) area based in the Kerry office. The role will require the successful candidate to travel between the four catchments in their respective areas on a regular basis, and they will likely spend a high proportion of time out of the office.

Main duties and responsibilities

·       • Main point of contact between farmers and the project team;

• Continual liaison with the farming community in four of the project catchments;

• Review supporting action claims;

• Provide agri-environmental advice and support to participant farmers;

• Liaise with and provide support to agricultural advisors as required;

• Organise and provide training for participant farmers;

• Planning and conducting monitoring surveys and fieldwork;

• Work closely with the western catchment officer and the wider team;

• Assist in the organisation of the end of project conference; and

• Contribute to end of project reporting as required.

Qualifications and experience required

A degree in agriculture, ecology, or related discipline;

• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience in the agricultural / environmental sectors;

• Knowledge and awareness of previous and present agri-environmental schemes such as

REPS, GLAS, Hen Harrier Programme, Burren Programme, ACRES etc. Knowledge of results-

based schemes would be an advantage.

• Strong knowledge of peatland and grassland habitats and their indicator species;

• Experience in the preparation and monitoring of farm plans;

• An ability to identify issues at a farm level that pose a threat to freshwater pearl mussel, and

identify solutions which give due consideration to the environment and farm operations;

• Excellent communication skills;

• Exceptional organisational and project management skills;

• Must be comfortable using Microsoft Office and ESRI ArcGIS or other mapping software;

• Must be self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative;

• A positive and enthusiastic attitude;

• Have a pragmatic, solution driven and flexible approach to work;

• A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team;

• An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out on schedule; and

• A full clean driver’s licence.

How to apply:

Send cover letter, CV, and two referees by 30th June 2023 to:

Dr Patrick Crushell
Project Manager
The Pearl Mussel Project Ltd
Bell Height
Kenmare
County Kerry

Tel: 064 6642524

E-mail: patrick@pmproject.ie  Web: PearlMusselProject.ie

Download job advert PDF here

Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 6

Screenshot 2022-12-19 at 16.13.14

The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including: farmer training 2022, farm assessments 2022, Poppy Overy on ways of understanding watercourse quality in a results-based agri-environment scheme, an introduction to Gerard Caden our new catchment officer in the North West, a profile of Fionán Crowley one our farm advisors, PMP updated payment rates and finally news on the new ACRES Co-operation project and how it will run in conjunction with the PMP.

Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 6 here

If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Gerard Caden at gerard@pmproject.ie

#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork

Job Opportunity ACRES West Connacht Administrative Officer

Wetland Surveys Ireland in partnership with The Pearl Mussel Project have been contracted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to operate the ACRES West Connacht Co-operation Projects that are being established as part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.

We are currently seeking candidate for the position of Administrative Officer.

As a key members of the overall project team, the office administrator will support the delivery of the ACRES West Connacht goals and objectives.

Download details and job advert PDF here

Job OpportunitiesACRES - West Connacht Co-operation Projects Recruitment of Six Project Officers (agri-environmental)

Wetland Surveys Ireland in partnership with The Pearl Mussel Project have been contracted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine to operate two of the eight Co-operation Projects that are being established as part of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan.

We are currently recruiting six project officers to work as part of the project team. Project officers will play a key role in delivering this new results-based agri-environmental scheme where farmers will be rewarded and incentivised to provide positive environmental outcomes throughout the high nature value landscapes of West Connacht.

Download job advert PDF here

Job Opportunity - Catchment Officer 2022

PMP 2022 Job Advert

Job Opportunity in Connemara and South Mayo Area
Catchment Officer (Agri-environmental)

Employer: The Pearl Mussel Project Limited

Location: South Mayo/Connemara

Job type: 2 Year fixed term contract, full time

Salary: €40,000 / annum (excl. travel expenses)

Closing date: 08/06/2022

Suitable applicants will be shortlisted for interview on 16th and 17th June with a view to the successful applicant commencing work on 4th July 2022

Role / Position: The Pearl Mussel Project is a locally led European Innovation Partnership (EIP) jointly funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which has developed a voluntary results-based agri-environmental scheme for farmers within eight priority catchments. The overall aim of the five year programme (currently in year 4) is to promote farm management tailored to maintaining and improving the local environment with a view to securing the long-term conservation of freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) in Ireland. We are currently working with over 470 farmers across our eight priority freshwater pearl mussel river catchments.

We are now recruiting a catchment officer with an agri-environmental background for our North-west Catchments (in Connemara, Mayo and Donegal). The successful applicant will work as a key member of the project team and will report to the Project Manager. The role will require the successful candidate to work remotely and to travel between the four catchments in the north-west on a regular basis. The successful applicant will be expected to work from a home office.

Main duties and responsibilities

·       Main point of contact between farmers and the project team;

·       Continual liaison with the farming community in four of the project catchments (Owenriff, Co Galway; Dawros, Co Galway, Bundorragha, Co Mayo, and Glaskeelan, Co Donegal);

·       Provide agri-environmental advice and support to participant farmers during the scheme;

·       Liaise with and provide support to farm advisors working on the Programme as required;

·       Contribute to the development of guidance documents and training material;

·       Assist with delivery of training to farmers and farm advisors;

·       Planning, coordinating and conducting monitoring surveys and fieldwork;

·       Organise and partake in outreach events such as school visits;

·       Liaise and work closely with the wider project team; and

·       Prepare and contribute to reports when required;

·       Prepare and contribute to reports when required; and

·       Work closely with the upcoming South Mayo Cooperation Project team.

Qualifications and experience required

The ideal candidate would have the following knowledge, experience, and attributes:

·       A degree in agriculture, ecology, or related discipline;

·       Minimum two years relevant work experience in the agricultural / environmental sectors;

·       Knowledge and awareness of agri-environmental schemes such as REPS, GLAS, Hen Harrier Programme, Burren Programme, etc;

·       Strong knowledge of farmland habitats (peatland & grassland) and their indicator species;

·       Experience in the preparation and monitoring of farm plans;

·       An ability to identify issues at a farm level that pose a threat to freshwater pearl mussel, and identify solutions which give due consideration to the environment and farm operations;

·       Excellent communication skills and a strong attention to detail;

·       Self-motivated and have a proven ability to work under their own initiative;

·       Have a positive, enthusiastic, pragmatic, solution driven, and flexible approach to work;

·       A willingness to actively participate as part of a wider multidisciplinary team;

·       An ability to manage their own workload, ensuring that work is carried out on schedule;

·       A full clean driver’s licence and own transport;

·       Good computer skills particularly in the use of Microsoft Office software;

·       Knowledge and experience of results-based schemes would be an advantage; and

·       Experience of using ESRI ArcGIS or other data management software would be an advantage.

How to apply:

Send cover letter, CV, and two referees by Wednesday 08th June to:

Dr Patrick Crushell
Project Manager
The Pearl Mussel Project Ltd
Bell Height
Kenmare
County Kerry

Tel: 064 6642524

E-mail: patrick@pmproject.ie  Web: PearlMusselProject.ie

Download job advert PDF here

Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 5

CoverPMPNews5

March 2022: The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including: programme update, a study by Poppy Overy on the  co-benefits of biodiversity and hydrological intergrity using beetles as case study on farmland in the programme, a profile of Joanne Materson one our farm advisors, an introduction to the new Bundorragha catchment Rhododendron Control Project with which PMP is partnering, news on the latest developments in PMPs Education programme, and news on PMP and the new CAP.

Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 5 here

We hope to produce further issues of Pearl Mussel Project News during the programme. So check in again to see the latest programme developments.

If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Mary McAndrew at mary@pmproject.ie

#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork

Pearl Mussel Project Newsletter: Issue 4

PMP Newsletter 4

November 2021: The Pearl Mussel Project have produced a short farm newsletter with information on some of the latest developments within the programme, including: farmer training & payment, expansion of the scheme in the north-west through the Wild Atlantic Nature LIFE project, a report by Michel Chapman PMP Assistant Catchment Officer on his work, a research study by Verena Berard on farmer preceptions of results based schemes, and a profile of Joanne Hamilton one our farm advisors. 

Download your copy of Pearl Mussel Project News, Issue 4 here

We hope to produce further issues of Pearl Mussel Project News during the programme. So check in again to see the latest programme developments.

If you would like to submit an article, photograph or item for inclusion in the newsletter which relates the programme email Mary McAndrew at mary@pmproject.ie

#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork

PMP Fertiliser & Slurry Guidance published

Slurry leaflet webiste

Following on from recent reports of high algae content and high ammonia levels causing distress to Pearl Mussels in some of our catchments, the PMP team have designed a Best Practice guidance leaflet for slurry and fertiliser application.

These leaflets will be distributed to all PMP participants over the course of the summer at our farmer training events. We hope this will enable us to have open discussions with farmers on best practice and help come up with practical solutions for individual farms.

We are also delighted to be launching our environmental workshops this summer, these are a pilot measure within the programme targeting specific issues within a catchment and helping aid discussion and knowledge transfer with the farmers.

The Fertiliser & Slurry Guidance Leaflet PDF can be downloaded here.

#pearlmusselproject #musselrivers #EIPagri #ruralnetwork @DeptAgriFoodMarine ‪@Teagasc @LAWProteam @farmingfornature‬

New PMP Assistant Catchment Officer appointed in the SW

Michael Chapman

Michael Chapman PMPs newest Team member joined as Assistant Catchment Officer in the SW last week. 

Michael graduated as a Wildlife Biologist/Ecologist from the Institute of Technology Tralee/ Munster Technological University in 2020. Since graduating he has worked within the Environmental Consultancy sector and has particular experience in relation to water quality and aquatic ecology. Coming from rural Tipperary, Michael has a keen interest in biodiversity and sustainable land use/farming. 

Having recently joined the Pearl Mussel Project Team, he is looking forward to working closely with the local farming community and assisting in achieving the programmes objectives.

© Pearl Mussel Project Ltd 2018