Protected species surveys

ECOFACT are specialists in the provision of ecological consultancy for protected aquatic species and can design and undertake detailed surveys and impact assessments for same. Our experience includes survey and sampling, impact assessment, mitigations and management for these species following the available guidelines and best scientific practice.

A number of aquatic flora and fauna are protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Acts (1976 and Amendment 2000), the Flora Protection Order (1999) and Annex II and Annex V of the EU Habitats Directive (1992/43/EEC).

ECOFACT has extensive experience in the monitoring and management of protected species during instream works and works affecting the aquatic environment. We provide survey and management consultancy for the following protected species groups:

• Protected aquatic flora including Slender Naiad (Najas flexilis), stonewort species (Chara and Nitella spp.), Opposite-leaved Pondweed (Groenlandia densa) and Pillwort (Pilularia globulifera)
• Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
• Lamprey (Lampetra spp., Pteromyzon marinus)
• Allis Shad & Twaite Shad (Allosa allosa and Allosa fallax)
• Pollan (Coregonus autumnalis)
• Arctic char (Salvelinus alpines)
• Smelt (Osmerus eperlanus)
• European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
• Freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera)
• White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes)

ECOFACT can carry out a site surveys for a suite of protected species, or, when necessary, can undertake species-specific detailed studies.

Fisheries services for protected fish species are further detailed on our Fisheries page.

ECOFACT also undertakes surveys and provides mitigations and management solutions for semi-aquatic species including:

• Annex II listed Whorl snail species (Vertigo sp.), which are intrinsically connected to water-dependant habitats. These include the Desmoulin's whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana), the narrow mouthed whorl snail (Vertigo angustior) and Vertigo geyeri
• Amphibian species such as the common frog (Rana temporaria) and the smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris)