‘Operation Caesar’ launched
Significant and lasting criminal damage has been found at 75% of internationally important freshwater pearl mussel sites surveyed across Scotland. Criminal acts included
both illegal pearl fishing and unauthorised river works that led to the destruction of whole pearl mussel populations. In a bid to crack down
after the unexpectedly severe damage, police and SNH have launched ‘Operation Caesar’, which seeks the public’s help in identifying and reporting to the police any suspicious activity.
The mussels are a protected species, and crimes against them carry the
possibility of prison sentences. Scotland has a total of 21 designated protected sites for pearl mussels, with Scottish rivers holding around half of the world’s population of the species. The wildlife crime findings came to light after the latest round of SNH’s routine
monitoring during 2008/2009. It covered areas specially designated to conserve these amazing and extremely vulnerable animals. Out of nine sites surveyed, damage was found at seven. Three showed such significant damage that recovery will be extremely challenging. In one river system in the west Highlands, one of the largest pearl mussel
beds of at least 600 animals was found to have disappeared since the previous monitoring visit five years earlier, with no explanation other than destructive pearl fishing. “We’ve been shocked at the findings,” stated Iain Sime of SNH, “and it’s clear
that we must undertake urgent work to save this species from almost certain extinction in some areas. Unauthorised engineering in one river seems to have destroyed the most significant pearl mussel bed of around 900 animals in the lower reaches of the river. “Another site has seen the killing, in less than a day, of 50% of the mussels in
the burn, making any recovery for the remaining animals extremely difficult.We’ve launched Operation Caesar to enlist the help of people in trying to stop these crimes.”
Northern Constabulary’s chief inspector Matthew Reiss said they would
be appealing to the angling and walking communities, as well as others who enjoy the countryside, to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity at or near water, especially as the warmer summer weather approaches. “This can extend to suspicious activity in and around rivers – from people searching in rivers and shells on banks to vehicles parked early in the day,” he added. ‘Operation Caeser’ is so called because the freshwater pearl mussels have
an ancient cultural history in Scotland. It’s said that Caesar invaded Britain to get his hands on the pearls sometimes yielded by the mussels, which also adorn the Scottish crown jewels.
18 The Nature of Scotland
NEWS
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