Good news for rare horse mussels
Wildlife Trusts
The Ulster Wildlife Trust has campaigned for many years for the protection
of the unique horse mussel reef habitat in Strangford Lough. Therefore,
we genuinely welcome the temporary ban on Mobile Gear Fishing in the Lough,
issued by DARD Minister Ian Pearson, and supported by Environment Minister
Angela Smith. This represents an excellent first stage in developing a
recovery programme for the severely damaged, yet invaluable, horse mussel
reef habitat in Strangford Lough.
To operate the precautionary principle in this manner demonstrates Government
willingness to work to put things right. We therefore look forward to
working with NI Ministers in the development of long-term measures. We
also look forward to meeting with GB Ministers to examine the implications
of this decision to other Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s).
We urge government to fully compensate the small number of fishermen involved
for loss of earning and changes to their way of life.
Dr. David Erwin (CEO of Ulster Wildlife Trust) “At last the government
have acknowledged what we have been warning for years, since our inception
in 1978. Early research showed that this habitat was extremely vulnerable
and later studies revealed the impact of commercial fishing on it. The
Ulster Wildlife Trust have been involved for many years with the bodies
involved in the management of Strangford Lough. We are today delighted
that Government is for the first time truly recognising its strategic
position regarding the conservation of a unique European resource.”
Modiolus modiolus is a large mollusc with shells that form a reef
system where hard bottom would not normally exist. The shells of Modiolus
are the foundations of a community on the muddy seabed of Strangford Lough
which provides hard surfaces for other animals to attach themselves and
live on and between. The horse mussel clumps provide a unique habitat
where all sorts of fascinating species can live. The shell is similar
to, but a lot larger than the blue edible mussels found on the shore,
and live in deeper waters. In the pristine situation, which until recently
was most of Strangford Lough they were often invisible, under a hoard
of other species, for which they were the host.
Unfortunately, part of the ecosystem of which the horse mussel is the
foundation, is the queen scallop which is trawled
for commercially by local fishermen.
Trawling for queen scallops had previously been prohibited in areas of
the Lough. However, trawl marks are clearly evident in many areas where
Modiolus beds once existed.
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