The Nature of Scotland

NEWS
‘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.
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The Nature of Scotland