What started as a group of concerned freshwater mussel biologists in the Ohio River, is now spreading throughout the basin and bringing in fish biologists and others.  The Ohio River Basin Mussel/Fish Habitat Partnership (Partnership) is being formed under the National Fish Habitat Action Plan (NFHAP) as one of several partnerships across the country to address conservation and restoration of aquatic habitat.

This unique partnership among other ‘fish habitat’ partnerships, will conserve and protect aquatic habitat for all species, but will use mussels to focus efforts and to bring additional benefits to the habitat.  The habitat issues are essentially the same for fish and mussels so efforts such as keeping cattle out of streams, establishing riparian buffers, addressing water quality issues, and providing fish passage are needed for both mussels and fish.  What’s good for mussels is good for fish.  In addition:

• Mussels filter water - free of charge – that is used as drinking water by many.
• Mussels stabilize the stream bottom.
• Mussels provide food via ‘biodeposits’ for aquatic insects that in turn are food for fish.
• Mussels provide physical habitat for smaller fish.

By conserving and restoring mussels as well as habitat for fish and mussels, we can provide cleaner and cheaper drinking water, better fishing, nicer areas for swimming, and improved quality of life for people across the Ohio River Basin.

To date, Project Leader Rob Simmonds with the Carterville FRO has worked hand in hand with a team of people in the Ohio River Basin, particularly members of the Ohio River Valley Ecosystem Team Mussel Subgroup to 1) begin forming the partnership, 2) develop a fact sheet, 3) seek and receive recognition as a Candidate Partnership under the NFHAP, 4) apply for a Multi-State Conservation Grant, and 5) discuss the partnership with state fish chiefs from throughout the basin.  Our next steps will include a presentation to the Ohio River Fish Management Team in October and a partnership meeting/call to continue partnership development and to begin strategic planning and application development for recognition as an official partnership under the NFHAP.