About This Project

This project focuses on creating a documentary highlighting the estuary’s beauty and pollution impacts on blue mussels to inspire conservation. Building on work funded by TNC and NGS, the project integrates education, citizen science and storytelling.

The documentary will serve as a catalyst for change, paired with community-led initiatives, estuary clean-ups and water quality monitoring, involving residents/schools, fosterinh environmental responsibility and scalable conservation efforts.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

The Conwy estuary is an ecologically significant transition zone between freshwater and marine environments, supporting a wide range of biodiversity and ecosystems. It provides crucial nursery grounds for fish, feeding areas for wading birds, and ecosystem services for nearby human communities. One key component of this ecosystem is the blue mussel population. As filter feeders, mussels help maintain water quality by removing suspended particles and pollutants from the water column. However, in the Conwy River and estuary mussels are vulnerable to pollution from sewage, flooding, heavy metals and agricultural runoff. This not only threatens mussel populations but also poses bioaccumulation risks for predators and humans. Studying these dynamics has deepened my understanding of how water quality directly impacts both ecological health and local livelihoods.

What is the significance of this project?

My work in Conwy, centers on raising awareness of water quality issues and their ecological impacts, using both scientific research and creative outreach. The Conwy estuary is a vital habitat for species like blue mussels and oysters, which are natural water filters but are increasingly threatened by pollution. My documentary highlights the link between local pollution sources, such as sewage overflow and agricultural runoff, and the decline of these filter feeders, using real stories from the community, fieldwork insights, and restoration projects like the Wild Oyster Conwy Project. By involving schools and volunteers in hands-on restoration and monitoring efforts, this initiative not only improves habitat health but also generates valuable data for ongoing water quality research. Through the documentary, I aim to inspire environmental stewardship and show how community-led action and scientific understanding can work together to protect Conwy’s unique estuarine ecosystem.

What are the goals of the project?

I aim to investigate how water pollution affects filter-feeding species like blue mussels and oysters in the Conwy estuary, asking: How do pollution levels, specifically from sewage, agricultural runoff, and heavy metals impact the abundance and health of these key species? To answer this, I will lead community outings with local students to collect water quality samples and monitor mussel beds, contributing data to Natural Resources Wales. These citizen science efforts will provide valuable insights into pollution trends while engaging the community in hands-on conservation.

Complementing this, I will be producing a documentary to visually contrast Conwy’s natural beauty with the threats posed by water pollution. Featuring expert interviews, student involvement, and restoration projects, the film will raise awareness and inspire action, locally through school, town hall, and care home screenings, and internationally through my global network.