LIFE Potamo Fauna

“Conservation of river fauna of Community interest in the Natura 2000 network sites of the Ter, Fluvià and Muga river basins", known by the acronym LIFE Potamo Fauna (LIFE12 NAT / ES / 001091) is a project aimed at recovering and long-term conservation of several endangered species of river fauna of European interest. It will carry out habitat improvements and reinforcements population of species such as white-footed crayfish, naiads and several fish, amphibians and aquatic tortoises. There will also be some actions to combat invasive alien species. The actions are placed in natural community interest basins of the rivers Ter and Muga. The project has a duration of four years (January 2014 to December 2017) and the overall cost of 1,900,262.00 euros, of which 50% 949,981.00 euros are financed by European Union. The Consorci de l’Estany  acts as the beneficiary coordinator and the associated beneficiaries are Consorci del Ter, la Generalitat de Catalunya through Departament d’Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Alimentació i Medi Natural, Forestal Catalana SA, the Amics de la Tortuga de l’Albera Association and the Universidad dels País Vasco-Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea. The Ajuntaments de Banyoles and Porqueres, Diputació de Girona, Aigües de Banyoles, SAU and the Consorci Esportiu de l’Estany de Banyoles are financial supporters of the Potamo Fauna Project.

LIFE Potamo Fauna have allowed to consolidate a team of 24 people for four years. Some of them part-time and full-time with other. From the Consorci de l’Estany have four new people have been hired. Moreover, and also indirectly and temporarily, several companies dedicated to the study and management of biodiversity and nature participate in the project.

Main Aims

• Direct recovery of the main locations of Naiad (Unio elongatulus) and White-clawed Crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) in Natura 2000 areas of the basins of the rivers Ter and Muga reinforced by population with reproduction in captivity.
• Direct recovery of the population of European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) in Natura 2000 network banks of the Lower Ter River (ES5120011), reinforced by population with captive-bred specimens.
• Expansion and consolidation of populations of Vertigo moulinsiana and Vertigo angustior in the Natura 2000 network zone in Banyoles lake (ES5120008) by translocations within the site.
• Improve populations of Mediterranean Barbel (Barbus meridionalis) in Natura 2000 areas of the Ter and Muga river basins through translocations in the same basin.
• Improve river populations of species of reptiles and amphibians: Mediterranean Turtles (Mauremys leprosa), Marbled Newt (Triturus marmoratus), Common Midwife Toad (Alytes obstetricans), Western Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates cultripes), Natterjack Toad (Bufo calamita), Mediterranean Tree Frog (Hyla meridionalis), in the Natura 2000 network space banks of Lower Ter (ES5120011) by creating new small marshes and ponds.
• Protection against impairment by afanomicosi in major populations of White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes).
• Minimising the impact on turtles and exotic decapod populations on European Pond Turtle (Emys orbicularis) and White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes).
• Eradication of exotic decapod crustacean Crawfish (Orconectes limosus), recently established in the area.
• Control of exotic fish on Banyoles Lake.
• Minimize the risk of penetration into the Ter basin of zebra mussel using disinfection station for boats.
• Outreach to the local value of the river endangered species, and the impact of invasive alien species.
• Interaction with the scientific and technical community involved in the conservation of endangered species of wildlife river to create positive synergies.