The horse mussel (Modiolus modiolus, a key biogenic reef-forming species, enhances marine biodiversity, provides habitat complexity, and contributes to water quality through filtration. However, in Irish waters, its current distribution is poorly understood, limiting conservation and management efforts. This knowledge gap is increasingly critical due to mounting
pressures from offshore renewable energy (ORE) developments, bottom-contact fishing, and shipping activities. This project aims to compile and synthesize all existing distributional data on M. modiolus in Ireland, using habitat distribution and suitability modelling, it will produce detailed maps to support conservation planning and inform Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation. The project also investigates the genetic structure and connectivity of Irish populations with existing reefs in the Irish Sea to determine larvae provenance, sinks and sources, and inform a coherent strategy for conservation in their distributional range.
