A focal point for wildlife on the Isle of Man!
Use Manx Biodiversity to find out about:
... with links to all the key conservation organisations on the Isle of Man, find out what these organisations are doing for wildlife, where the managers of our marine and terrestrial resources are making progress, how the Manx Government is working towards conserving and recording our biodiversity and how you can help.
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Biodiversity Blog
Recent sighting of River Lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) in the Neb is a First! A message from the Inland Fisheries team at the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture.
Discovered by Brian Walmsley Fisheries Officer, DEFA, on Tuesday 24th April, this adult specimen was found in the River Neb at the Raggatt. Identif- ication has now been confirmed by two indepen- dant freshwater scientists. Although there are existing records of the brook lamprey (L. planeri) in several Manx rivers including the Neb, this is the first confirmed sighting of a river lamprey here. Please contact Karen McHarg at DEFA for further infomation. This picture shows the distinctive sucker on its mouth. Each species has slightly different suckers which help with the ID.
Here is the river lamprey swimming in the Neb after release. The lamprey was 290mm in length.
River lamprey under examination
Youtube Video of the lamprey swimming in the Neb
The species is normally 'anadromous', spawning in freshwater but completing its life cycle in the sea, so pollution or artifical obstacles such as weirs or dams impede migration. Populations around the British Isles are considered important for the conservation of the species which is seen as having European importance.
