NPWS seeks tenders for freshwater pearl mussel monitoring
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is currently seeking tenders for a project to monitor and survey the freshwater pearl mussel.
The freshwater pearl mussel is an exceptionally long-lived and slow-growing species that is only found in extremely clean water.
The record for the longest-living pearl mussel is around 140 years. The species commonly reaches over 100-years-of-age, making it Ireland's longest-living animal.
Unfortunately, the mussel is considered to be critically endangered in Ireland and Europe, and its conservation status was assessed as 'bad' when reported under the Habitats Directive in 2007, 2013, and again in 2019.
Pearl mussel
Monitoring of the pearl mussel in Ireland was first initiated in 2004, with baseline and repeat monitoring ongoing ever since.
In order to comply with requirements under the Habitats Directive and the European Communities Ecological Objectives, the NPWS is proposing to appoint a tenderer to carry out surveys of the species.
The successful tenderer will survey and monitor approximately 31 freshwater pearl mussel populations, across 44 monitoring events, over six field seasons from 2025- 2030
The priority reference freshwater pearl mussel populations (Owenriff and Bundorragha) will be monitored annually, while the remaining 29 populations will be monitored at least once over the course of the project.
A brief annual summary report on progress will be expected by the NPWS in October of each year, along with full site-specific monitoring reports.
The NPWS said that tenderers must include the relevant qualifications and experience of the individual(s) undertaking each task.
The deadline for the submission of tenders for the contract valued at €505,000, excluding VAT, is 5:00p.m on June 2, 2025.
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