One hundred and thirty shells. Even that paltry number was fair game for some greedy imbecile(s).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/s...al/7697518.stm

Endangered pearl mussels killed

Illegal fishers destroyed 130 freshwater pearl mussels

Illegal pearl fishers have struck in Angus, destroying large numbers of one of Scotland's most endangered species. Wildlife experts have discovered 130 opened freshwater pearl mussels at the River South Esk, downstream of Brechin.
The area has one of the world's largest populations of the mussels - but the culprits have killed about a third of those in that part of the river. One expert said it was probably the largest kill he had seen since a ban was introduced 10 years ago.

The indications are that mussels were taken from the bed of the river in the summer and opened to see if there was a pearl inside.

The River South Esk has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation for its populations of freshwater pearl mussels. The fine for killing just one mussel can be as high as £10,000.

Largest kill

The crime was discovered during a survey at the river.
Survey leader Dr Peter Cosgrove said: ''We worked hard to find these mussel beds - and dead shells - suggesting a similar effort must have been needed by the pearl fishers. This was not an opportunistic half an hour in the river and away effort.

''The pearl fishers would have to have systematically been in large areas of the river for many hours/days to find the mussels, plus the time taken to kill them and look for pearls.

"In all my many years of experience of doing this type of survey, I think the scale of this illegal fishing incident on the South Esk might be the largest pearl fishing kill I've seen since the 1998 ban.''

The shells were forced open to see if they contained pearls. Alan Stewart, Tayside Police's wildlife and environmental crime officer, added: ''Investigating crime against the extremely endangered freshwater pearl mussel is one of the wildlife crime policing priorities set out by government and police through the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW).

''The penalties reflect the seriousness, in that for each mussel killed the potential fine is £10,000.'' In 2005, a study found that the condition of pearl mussels in the South Esk was classed as "unfavourable" due to the low densities, illegal persecution and water quality.

Rhona McInroy, from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), explained that the most recent kills were a major setback.

"Much time and money has recently been put towards improving conditions for salmon and freshwater pearl mussel further up the river by the Fishery Board, SNH and the European Union," she said. "This illegal fishing frustrates this recovery. Freshwater pearl mussels act as biofilters, filtering out particles and maintaining water quality.

Researchers have calculated that, on average, two populations are lost every year and this has been happening for the last 30 years.

Police have appealed for anyone, particularly anglers, who have been on the River South Esk and saw anything suspicious to come forward.



Slraep

How sad. Hope the perps get caught.

[Pearl Dreams]

Greedy and clueless. Hope they get caught and fined as stiffly as the law allows.

[Caitlin]

I am sorry to read this story.
Someone who thought he could make a quick fortune, no doubt. Thank goodness he/they quit at 130 shells- unless they took some home too.

[pearlescence]

May they have boils

[Heidi]

How remarkably upsetting. I certainly do hope they are caught and fined stiffly. What a waste.

Greed is such ans evil thing and at the cost of so much in the long run for a little instant gratification and a quick buck now.

Hope those involved do get cought! It is very sad to see that many wonderful species are going the way of the Dodo.

Ash

Originally Posted by pearlescence

May they have boils

Oooooo, that's good. Boils and a pox are always fun!

I have one to bestow too: May all their teeth fall out except for the two in dire need of root canal therapy!

Slraep

[pearlescence]

oooh, ouch!

It does demonstrate that you can have plenty of laws and punishments in place but there is always someone out for a quick profit (and even if they did find some pearls, for all the effort involved it might have been easier simply to get a few hours work!)

If anyone offers me natural pearls I shall summon an officer immediately

How very sad- I wonder if they'll start having parts of the river under periodic survelliance to try and stop this from happening again, or will they continue to rely on surveys and fishermen to be their eyes?

[dkan 168]

Why can't they do the decent thing and kill the mussels outright, instead of letting them die of slow death?!

DK

[pearlescence]

Hi Ashley - don't put something else in this country under surveillance - this is the surveillance capital of the world...cameras everywhere. ick
Even when the cause is good.

[Andrew]

I agree,Wendy,more surveillance camaras in Britain would be horrible. It certainly is disturbing,though,to hear of such abominations in a beautiful country like Scotland.( I feel it especially as I used to live in the village of Aboyne, just to the north of where the river is "born".) Maybe here on the pearl-forum we can do our little bit to encourage people to love this amazing planet and not just go for the fast buck or quick quid!

Originally Posted by Andrew

Maybe here on the pearl-forum we can do our little bit to encourage people to love this amazing planet and not just go for the fast buck or quick quid!

Andrew,

Oh! You are a man after my own heart! You took the words from right under my typing fingers(all two of them)! Sigh(batting my eyelashes).

Slraep

Originally Posted by pearlescence

.. don't put something else in this country under surveillance - this is the surveillance capital of the world...cameras everywhere. ick
Even when the cause is good.

Wendy, I was thinking less surveillance and more booby traps. But that would be rather very evil of me, wouldn't it?---and what with me being such a nice timid kid and all. Although...if you seriously think about it, being electrocuted vs. getting boils vs. two active root canals---I don't know what would be worse. And maybe if the punishment were dealt out right away(sound of someone being jolted with a goodly amount of electricity), instead of wishful thinking(bring on the boils), it could possibly work as a great deterrent!! But, still, there's always the odd asinius stultissimus around somewhere.

Slraep