Freshwater pearl mussel - update

The following are brief summaries of some of the action that we and our partners have done since the Species Action Framework was launched. They're in chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top of the page.

2010

1 September 2010 - Lochaber Fisheries Trust, in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, have completed the installation of a fish pass into a small burn in the far west of Lochaber that supports a vitally important pearl mussel population.  For at least 90 years, a dam has prevented salmon and sea trout accessing the upper reaches of the burn.  This is important for the pearl mussel, who's early lifestages rely on the presence of very young salmon and/or trout.  The fish pass should allow the population of salmon and trout to increase in size. This will help support the successful reproduction of this internationally important pearl mussel population and better conserve the fish and mussels for the future. 

2009

30 October 2009 - Scottish Natural Heritage has begun a project to produce straightforward guidance for developers and contractors who work in Scotland's rivers. This is to help them avoid damage to endangered freshwater pearl mussels and also ensure they do not break the law protecting the species. The results will be available in January 2010 and made available on Scottish Natural Heritage's website.

3 July 2009 - A reintroduction plan aimed at stemming the tide for one of Britain's most threatened species was today launched by Scottish Natural Heritage. The freshwater pearl mussel is on the brink of extinction due to destructive fishing practices, industrial and agricultural pollution and habitat reduction. Following three years of preparatory work, funded in large part by Scottish Natural Heritage through its Species Action Framework, the organisation has released 200 adult mussels into a river from which they have disappeared as part of the reintroduction. The location is being kept under wraps for obvious reasons. The reintroduction has also seen the National Wildlife Crime Unit give its backing to the launch of a new information pack on the species.

Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham said: "This reintroduction project is vital if sustainable populations of freshwater pearl mussels are to survive and breed in Scotland's rivers. The freshwater pearl mussel has been synonymous with Scotland since the time of our crown jewels and is an indicator of cleanliness, for if there are plenty of mussels in a river system, it is certain that water quality is excellent.

 "Mussels are also considered fair game for pearl hunters who kill hundreds of the mussels trying to get at the pearls they may - or may not - hold. So it is particularly apt that the National Wildlife Crime Unit has also marked today by launching a new information pack highlighting the state of this important species.

"See the Scottish Natural Heritage press release at "New reintroduction plan for endangered freshwater pearl mussel ". The new leaflet highlighting the threat posed by illegal persecution is available here 

 24 March 2009 - A spate of kills of threatened freshwater pearl mussel populations has been recorded in the west of Scotland. The spate of crimes threatens the existence of pearl mussels in Scottish rivers. Scottish Natural Heritage and police have therefore appealed to the public to help solve these crimes and prevent others taking place. The kill sites were discovered in Harris, Skye and Lochaber and put further pressure on an animal which, though long-lived, is extremely vulnerable to persecution. The Harris find in particular has threatened to cause local extinction. See the SNH press release.

30 October 2009 - Scottish Natural Heritage has begun a project to produce straightforward guidance for developers and contractors who work in Scotland's rivers. This is to help them avoid damage to endangered freshwater pearl mussels and also ensure they do not break the law protecting the species. The results will be available in January 2010 and made available on Scottish Natural Heritage's website.

3 July 2009 - A reintroduction plan aimed at stemming the tide for one of Britain's most threatened species was today launched by Scottish Natural Heritage. The freshwater pearl mussel is on the brink of extinction due to destructive fishing practices, industrial and agricultural pollution and habitat reduction. Following three years of preparatory work, funded in large part by Scottish Natural Heritage through its Species Action Framework, the organisation has released 200 adult mussels into a river from which they have disappeared as part of the reintroduction. The location is being kept under wraps for obvious reasons. The reintroduction has also seen the National Wildlife Crime Unit give its backing to the launch of a new information pack on the species.

Minister for Environment Roseanna Cunningham said: "This reintroduction project is vital if sustainable populations of freshwater pearl mussels are to survive and breed in Scotland's rivers. The freshwater pearl mussel has been synonymous with Scotland since the time of our crown jewels and is an indicator of cleanliness, for if there are plenty of mussels in a river system, it is certain that water quality is excellent.

 "Mussels are also considered fair game for pearl hunters who kill hundreds of the mussels trying to get at the pearls they may - or may not - hold. So it is particularly apt that the National Wildlife Crime Unit has also marked today by launching a new information pack highlighting the state of this important species.

"See the Scottish Natural Heritage press release at "New reintroduction plan for endangered freshwater pearl mussel ". The new leaflet highlighting the threat posed by illegal persecution is available here 

 24 March 2009 - A spate of kills of threatened freshwater pearl mussel populations has been recorded in the west of Scotland. The spate of crimes threatens the existence of pearl mussels in Scottish rivers. Scottish Natural Heritage and police have therefore appealed to the public to help solve these crimes and prevent others taking place. The kill sites were discovered in Harris, Skye and Lochaber and put further pressure on an animal which, though long-lived, is extremely vulnerable to persecution. The Harris find in particular has threatened to cause local extinction. See the SNH press release.

2008

31 July 2008 - Vulnerable pearl mussels still a target.  One of Scotland's rarest and most vulnerable species continues to be the target of unscrupulous wildlife criminals and reckless destruction of its habitat, Scottish Natural Heritage and police warned today.