Conservation

 

 

The Lakes Aquarium is involved in conservation projects on a local, national and even international basis.

Freshwater Biological Association

Pearl Mussel Ark Project This year, we’re extremely excited to be continuing our dedicated conservation and research partnership with the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) based locally at Ferry Landing, just 6 miles away from the Lakes Aquarium. For almost 90 years the FBA has been committed to understanding and conserving not just Windermere (one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the UK) but also freshwaters throughout the world.

Conservation Experts at the FBA are leading the way here in the UK with an active captive breeding project to save the Freshwater Pearl Mussel (margaritifera margaritifera); classified as critically endangered. In fact, only a handful of populations remain in England and Wales, with local Cumbrian rivers being home to most. Sadly, in most of our English rivers, young mussels are not surviving to adulthood, resulting in aging, relict populations, which are at high risk of extinction. Habitat degradation and loss has seen this species decline by over 90% in the last century. Without our help, the Freshwater Pearl Mussel faces the very real threat of extinction.

Did you know?

• Freshwater Pearl Mussels can grow much larger than marine mussels (as big as your hand!) and live until they’re around 130 years old.

• They play a vital role in our rivers as they can filter around 50 litres of water per day (that’s almost as much as an average 5 minute shower uses!), removing particles like algae and bacteria from the water column.

• The importance of these animals and the conservation work undertaken to protect them cannot be underestimated. If we can get the conditions right for the Freshwater Pearl Mussel to survive outside of captivity, through their filtration, they can improve the habitat and water quality for fish, invertebrates, birds and aquatic mammals.

 

 

The Ark To help save this species from extinction the FBA, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Natural England, in 2007 set up a Freshwater Pearl Mussel Ark, with the aim of breeding mussels in captivity until the rivers have been restored and the juveniles are old enough to be reintroduced.

 

 

 

 

Lifecycle Pearl mussels have a complex but fascinating lifecycle. As part of their lifecycle, the mussel larvae (known as glochidia) must attach to the gills of young Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) or brown trout (Salmo trutta) where they can develop into juvenile mussels. For more detailed information please visit https://www.fba.org.uk/pearl-mussels Their lifecycle means that the FBA staff have a lot of work to do! And with the FBA being local, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work together on various projects.

 

 

A New and Exciting Project Every summer, the FBA pearl mussel team spend hours of their week collecting juvenile mussels that have freshly dropped off (excysted) from the fish gills. When this happens it is called excystment. This year we are aiming to assist the FBA with their latest project, Accelerated Excystment. What is ‘Accelerated Excystment’? This simply means speeding up the rate at which juvenile mussels drop off the fish gills. As mussels are cold-blooded their lifecycle depends on temperature. Juvenile development on the gills of fish happens quicker in warmer water. This new project aims to speed up the collection of juveniles simply by increasing the water temperature the fish are kept in. This quicker growth should encourage the juveniles to drop off in greater numbers over a shorter period of time, making collection much more efficient. As an established aquarium, we can control the temperature of the water in our exhibits and can easily keep the fish at a constant 16 C. Staff from the FBA will visit on a daily basis to collect any juvenile mussels and take them back to their Ark, where they will take several years to grow large enough to be released into their native river.

A Strengthening Partnership In the past we have arranged for our experienced staff to work alongside the pearl mussel team at the FBA to help them with their work. They have been able to assist with the day to day tasks of running a captive breeding programme and with the construction of their flume, which mimics a riverine environment for older juveniles. Recently FBA placement students have worked with our staff to publicise our collaboration to improve the captive breeding of pearl mussels.

Pearl Mussel Exhibit As an Aquarium that displays many native Cumbrian species, it would have been excellent to have some live pearl mussels. However, as they are critically endangered, it isn’t possible. We do however have a fantastic educational exhibit dedicated to this fascinating species where visitors can learn about the complex lifecycle of these incredible mussels. This interactive exhibit includes a video detailing some of the ongoing mussel work the FBA are involved with, touch-and-feel items and even an interactive game which invites children to learn more about the habitat and threats on these endangered mussels. Colouring sheets are also available for budding artists! This exhibit was funded by Biffa Award as part of a recent project entitled “Restoring Freshwater Mussel Rivers in England”.

We invite you to come along, explore and find out more.

Support and Further Information The FBA is a registered charity, you can help to support the Freshwater Pearl Mussel Conservation Project by making a donation or get more involved by becoming a Member of the FBA. Help freshwater environments to thrive. To find out more

Toads in the Roads

Common Toads are very particular about where they breed and often migrate back to their ancestral breeding ponds each year. They follow the same route, regardless of what gets in their way, which sometimes leads to them crossing roads. We get a toad vs. traffic scenario and the toads inevitably come off worse.
The Toads on Roads project registers these sites as ‘migratory crossings’ and helps coordinate local Toad Patrols. Patrols can apply to their local council for road warning signs to be installed and actively help the toads across the road. The Toads on Roads project has been running for over twenty years and we know of numerous crossings nationwide.

Members of our displays team have been helping to patrol toad crossing sites in Silverdale and Ulverston.

Crayfish in Crisis

Captive breeding project to increase the population of the native white clawed crayfish. Also used to raise awareness of the crayfish and how to reduce the risk of spreading the crayfish plague.

Observation of Pike behaviour

Observation of pike behaviour (swimming and breathing) to see whether this behaviour influences olfaction by encouraging circulation of water through their nasal chambers.

Dr Jonathan Cox spent some time on site observing the pike for a research paper on olfaction.

What we do
  • Actively promote the work of the RSPB through dedicated days when the RSPB are onsite educating visitors on conservation, habitats and the native species of birds.
  • A dedicated event each October alongside a local bat group, promoting the work of the charity and educating visitors on the plight of native bat species.
  • Promotional DVDs playing daily in the aquarium provided by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust.
  • Fund raising on behalf of a number of charities including RSPB and Shark Trust.
Mission Statement

Our Mission

To provide an educational, entertaining and enjoyable experience, that appeals to all ages and delivers value for money in a safe environment.

The Lakes Aquarium is part of the Real Live Leisure Company Ltd, and has a key part to play in assisting RLL achieve its own mission:

To develop and operate creative leisure destinations, with consideration to stakeholder expectations and environmental values.

Our Vision

We aim to constantly enhance our reputation as a quality, respected and credible leading Leisure Destination by developing:

  • An Aquarium, which offers visitors the opportunity to witness a diverse variety of creatures from across the globe in a creative, interactive and naturally themed environment.
  • Relationships with relevant organisations and the local community that enable us to promote conservation, education and research issues.
  • Associated Café and Shops open to both Aquarium and non-Aquarium visitors that offer a high quality and comprehensive range of products and service in unique surroundings.

A helpful, knowledgeable and professional workforce will help provide the above.

Our Values

The culture of the Lakes Aquarium is a professional, friendly, supportive and compassionate organisation where all stakeholders’ opinions are listened to, respected and encouraged.

People

  • We will provide an excellent working environment, and opportunities for personal development and progression, where all staff have the skills, confidence and passion to make a positive contribution to the business.
  • Our staff’s commitment and contribution will be recognised, appraised and valued.
  • All staff will be motivated and encouraged to motivate themselves by taking on individual responsibility.
Current conservation projects
  • Crayfish in Crisis
  • Freshwater Pearl Mussels
Partnership organisations

 

  • We have also worked with the Morecambe Bay Partnership on fundraising and awareness raising projects for numerous years.
  • Workshops and demonstrations by the following organisations regularly take place at the aquarium, raising awareness of important conservation issues: Ravenglass coastal partnership, Cumbria Wildlife Trust (Save Our Squirrels), Furness Bat group, Carrio Raptors, Furness Owls, RSPB, Red Alert.
  • We were proud supporters of South Cumbria Rivers Trust Educational Project & Experience the River 2008.
  • The Lakes Aquarium has also promoted the Marine Conservation Society and Shark Trust by gathering signatures for petition campaigns.
  • Staff have also attended workshops for conservation in the Irish Sea