Damage to Pearl Mussel Sites

SEPA, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and Tayside Police have been reminding land owners, developers and contractors of the need to ensure they take care when working in or around the River Tay.

Calum McGregor, a Senior Environment Protection Officer for SEPA, said: "The Water Environment (Controlled Activities) (Scotland) Regulations 2005, also known as CAR, require authorisation in order to carry out certain river engineering works such as sediment removal, bank protection works or new bridges or river crossings. All of these activities have the potential to harm freshwater pearl mussels, either as a result of direct damage to them or their habitat by the construction of new structures, or as a result of silt pollution being caused during the construction of the new structures.

"It is an offence to carry out, or permit another person to carry out, these activities without authorisation. As part of any application for an authorisation we would normally consult SNH and take into account any issues they raise about the possible impact on freshwater pearl mussels. Therefore, landowners and land managers should ensure that the correct authorisation is in place before any works are undertaken by them or on their behalf, and likewise plant hire companies or contractors should ensure that the correct authorisation is in place before they carry out any works on behalf of a land owner or land manager."

SEPA officers investigate pollution events or instances of unauthorised activities, and where they become aware of potential harm to freshwater pearl mussels they will report it to the Police and SNH and carry out a joint investigation with them.

Nicki McIntyre, Area Officer of SNH, said: "Freshwater pearl mussels are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and any activity which harms them or their habitat could lead to prosecution and a prison sentence. Around half of the world's population of pearl mussels is found in Scottish rivers. So the results of a recent survey which found that 75% of Scotland's internationally important pearl mussel sites have been damaged is very worrying. Freshwater pearl mussels are filter feeders, making them vulnerable to silt pollution caused either by runoff from construction sites or from silt being stirred up or disturbed as part of engineering works in or on the banks of rivers."

Alan Stewart, Wildlife and Environmental Crime Officer for Tayside Police, said: "Offences committed against freshwater pearl mussels, because of their conservation status, are treated as a wildlife policing priority by all police forces in Scotland. We would ask that careful consideration be taken before any engineering works be undertaken that may kill or injure them, or disturb them in their habitat."