Background The project aims to ensure the management of the species listed in the Habitat Directive present in the Natura 2000 network sites located in the target areas. It will focus on 13 species of aquatic fauna, whose populations are decreasing in size and for which there are no specific conservation actions at local, regional, national or European level. For five of these species - the exception is the white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) - there is no conservation plan at regional or national level. Objectives Direct recovery of the main populations of thick-shelled river mussel (Unio elongatulus) and white-clawed crayfish in a Natura 2000 site in the basins of the rivers Ter, Fluvià and Muga via population reinforcements with individuals bred in captivity in recovery centres; Direct recovery of the population of the European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis) in the Natura 2000 site Riberes del Baix Ter via population reinforcements with individuals bred in captivity in recovery centres; Expansion and consolidation of the populations of the Desmoulin’s whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) and the narrow-mouthed whorl snail (V. angustior) in the Natura 2000 site Estany de Banyoles via translocations within the site; Strengthening of the populations of Mediterranean barbel (Barbus meridionalis) in the Natura 2000 sites in the basins of the rivers Ter, Fluvià and Muga via intra-basin translocations; Strengthening of the fluvial populations of herptiles (M. leprosa, T. marmoratus, A. obstetricans, P. cultripes, B. calamita and H. merdionalis) in the Natura 2000 site Riberes del Baix Ter via the creation of micro-wetlands; Protection against the crayfish plague, Aphanomyces astaci, in the main white-clawed crayfish populations; Local control of exotic terrapins and crayfish to minimise their impact on native species, including the eradication of the recently-established exotic spinycheek crayfish (Orconectes limosus); Large-scale control of exotic fish species in Lake Banyoles; Minimisation of the risk of penetration by the zebra mussel into the basin of the River Ter via the installation of a boat disinfecting station; Increased awareness amongst the local population of the value of threatened fluvial species and the impact of invasive alien species; and Interaction with the technical-scientific community involved in the conservation of threatened fluvial species of fauna to create positive synergies. Expected results: The following results are directly connected to the conservation actions: In the SCIs still occupied by U. elongatulus, consolidation of at least eight population nuclei and the establishment of at least 15 new nuclei to reinforce the meta-population structures in each basin; Reduction in the current rate of disappearance of the nuclei of white-clawed crayfish in the area and the establishment of at least 15 new population nuclei to reinforce the meta-population structures in each basin; Recovery of the extinction-threatened European pond turtle population in the River Ter; An increase in the production of juvenile white-clawed crayfish (at least 500%) and European pond turtles (at least 100%) in the captive breeding centre; At least a 10% increase in the area occupied by V. moulinsiana and at least a 25% increase in the area occupied by V. angustior in the Banyoles wetland; Establishment of 12 new nuclei of B. meridionalis in stretches of river where the fish is currently not found; Improvement of the fluvial populations of target herptiles n the lower reaches of the River Ter in newly created micro-wetlands; Establishment of a monitoring and response procedure against the crayfish plague, Aphanomyces astaci; Containment of the expansion of exotic crayfish populations; Eradication of Orconectes limosus from the region; At least a 60% decrease in the density of exotic turtles in the wetlands of the River Ter and Lake Banyoles; At least a 25% reduction in the density of the adults of exotic fish species in Lake Banyoles; and Prevention of the penetration of the zebra mussel into Lake Banyoles and the surrounding area.