Question reference: S5W-05394
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 7 December 2016
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Current status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 20 December 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to introduce statutory protection of the freshwater pearl mussel population in the unnamed water, "river x".
Answer
Further to the answer to question S4W-28305 on 19 November 2015, Scottish Natural Heritage's advice on the Scottish suite of Special Areas of Conservation for freshwater pearl mussel remains in preparation following the recent discovery of a previously unrecorded population in south west Scotland.
That analysis notwithstanding, the freshwater pearl mussel is protected under Section 9 (via its listing on Schedule 5) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which means that it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly:
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kill, injure or take a freshwater pearl mussel;
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damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or place which freshwater pearl mussels use for shelter or protection; or
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disturb a freshwater pearl mussel when it is occupying a structure or place for that purpose
It is also an offence to possess or control, sell, offer for sale or possess or transport for the purpose of sale any live or dead freshwater pearl mussel or any derivative of a freshwater pearl mussel.
Knowingly causing or permitting any of the above acts to be carried out is also an offence.
All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx