Operation Caesar launched as pearl mussel sites see appalling damage

Significant and lasting criminal damage has been found at 75% of
internationally important freshwater pearl mussel sites surveyed, Scottish
Natural Heritage confirmed today.

Criminal acts ranged from illegal pearl fishing and unauthorised river works
which saw the destruction of whole pearl mussel populations.

And in a bid to crack down after the unexpectedly severe damage, police and SNH
are today launching Operation Caesar which seeks the publics help in
identifying and reporting any suspicious activity to the police.

The mussels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and
crimes against them carry the possibility of prison sentences.  Promotion of
wildlife conservation law and its enforcement is supported by the Scottish
Government through the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime – PAW
Scotland. This partnership supports the tireless efforts of police wildlife
crime officers in policing a complex area of crime – efforts that will ensure
rare species are not further damaged in Scotland.

The wildlife crime findings came after the latest round of SNHs routine
monitoring during 2008/2009.  It covered a total of nine Special Areas of
Conservation (SACs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), specially
designated to conserve these amazing and extremely vulnerable animals.

Of the nine sites surveyed, damage was found at seven of the SACs and SSSIs.
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.

The results have caused dismay among scientists, who insisted that the
freshwater pearl mussel, as an iconic species, needs to be understood and
appreciated more in order for the true effects of these criminal acts to be
understood.

Scotlands rivers contain as many as half of the worlds most important
pearl mussel populations.  This places a great responsibility on the authorities
to ensure the pearl mussel continues to survive.  Freshwater pearl mussels were
once a common sight from Plymouth to Peterhead and beyond.

Scotland has a total of 21 designated sites for pearl mussels with Scottish
rivers holding around half of the worlds population of the species.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: It is clear that the pearl
mussel continues to suffer from indiscriminate and illegal ransacking by
determined criminals.  It is a UK wildlife crime priority and SNH has been
tasked with co-ordinating action to try and halt this decline.  This work will
continue despite these setbacks.

The Scottish Government is committed to protecting all our native species
and to cracking down on the criminals with the help of SNH, the police and PAW
Scotland.

Iain Sime of SNH said: An unexpected result of this monitoring has been the
number of sites damaged by criminal activity, and the impacts from illegal pearl
fishing.  Our findings have been shocking, appalling even, and it is 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 from the remaining animals extremely
difficult.  Operation Caesar has been launched to enlist the help of people in
trying to stop these crimes.

Northern Constabulary chief inspector Matthew Reiss, north division area
commander, said: We in Northern Constabulary remain committed and vigilant to
the effects of criminality on the pearl mussels and we wholeheartedly support
any prevention measures as outlined in this new operation.  We would appeal to
the angling and walking communities, and those who also 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.
Wildlife crime remains a priority for all Scottish police forces and our
officers will be highlighting the freshwater pearl mussels importance as they
engage with members of their communities.

Operation Caeser is co called because the freshwater pearl mussels have
an ancient cultural history in Scotland.  It is said that Caesar invaded Britain
to get his hands on the pearls sometimes yielded by the mussels, which also
adorn the Scottish crown jewels.

The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAWS) comprises
representatives from organisations involved in wildlife law enforcement in the
UK.  It provides opportunities for statutory and non-Government organisations to
work together to combat wildlife crime. Its main objective is to promote the
enforcement of wildlife conservation legislation, particularly through
supporting the networks of Police Wildlife Crime Officers and officers from HM
Revenue and Customs and UK Border Agency.  See http://www.defra.gov.uk/paw for
more information.

The Species Action Framework was launched in 2007 and sets out a strategic
approach to species management in Scotland.  Further information at
www.snh.org.uk/speciesactionframework

Scottish Natural Heritage is the Governments advisor on all aspects of
nature and landscape across Scotland.  Our role is to help everyone understand,
value and enjoy Scotlands nature now and in the future.  For further
information visit our website at www.snh.org.uk