§ Mr. Andrew WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will publish the information he has on the condition of the Scottish freshwater mussel population; what research he has commissioned; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations he has received about the survival of the Scottish fresh water mussel (Margaritifera Margaritifera) population.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe fresh water pearl mussel Margaritifera Margaritifera is widely distibuted in Scotland thanks to the generally high quality of our rivers. I am aware of concerns which have been expressed recently about the possible depletion of stocks by overfishing or killing of mussels by amateur pearl fishermen. I have received two letters recently about the threat to pearl mussel stocks.
No research project on Scottish fresh water mussels has been commissioned by the Department. Scientific advice on fresh water species is provided or obtained as necessary by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland's fresh water fisheries laboratory at Pitlochry. I am currently considering, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, a proposal from the Nature Conservancy Council that increased protection should be afforded to the fresh water pearl mussel under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.