A new scheme is being launched to fight pearl poachers who have decimated rare mussel populations in parts of the Highlands.
A new Riverwatche scheme will target poachers in the Assynt area after three recent incidents of illegal pearl fishing was discovered in different rivers there.
The Riverwatch initiative is part of the LIFE + Pearls in Peril Project.
Pearl fishing is an extremely destructive process that devastates populations of vulnerable pearl mussels.
In the biggest incident in Assynt, thousands of empty shells were found discarded in a river, resulting in most of the population there being killed.
The critically endangered mussels are long-lived and vulnerable to illegal acts of fishing. They are particularly slow growing and it takes decades for the population to recover.
A single incident like this will severely undermine conservation efforts in an area.
The new Riverwatch scheme will provide local communities with information about pearl mussel crime and details of how to report it.
It will launch tomorrow at 7.45pm in the Assynt Centre at Kirk Road in Lochinver, and is being held by the Assynt Field Club.
Landowners, local communities, river users, fishery boards/trusts and police will work together on the scheme.
Look out for piles of shells in the river or the bank, people wading in the river with a glass bottom bucket, or any works on rivers that may disturb pearl mussel habitat. Any suspicious activity should be reported to the police or to the Riverwatcher.
Chief Inspector Colin Gough, wildlife crime co-ordinator for the Highlands, said: “”Police Scotland fully supports the Riverwatch scheme operating in the west of Sutherland, which assists with disseminating information to reduce crime against freshwater pearl mussels, in addition to encouraging the reporting of illegal pearl fishing.
“Protected by law, freshwater pearl mussels are a very important part of a river’s habitat, with illegal pearl fishing having the potential to devaste their fragile populations. Police Scotland will continue to work in close partnership with the LIFE + Pearls in Peril Project by supporting their river patrols, investigating any reports of this type of crime and undertaking enforcement action wherever possible.”
Louise Batchelor, spokeswoman for Paw Scotland, the partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime, said: “We are so privileged to have freshwater pearl mussels in Scotland and it is just heartbreaking when criminals destroy them in reckless acts of vandalism. Their true value is in our best rivers not as part of the grubby, illegal trade in our precious wildlife. Everyone with an interest in the countryside can help combat this crime.”
Natalie Young, Riverwatcher, Pearls in Peril Project, said: “Pearl fishing damages already threatened populations of a species that is significantly important to the Highland region as it one of the few remaining strongholds for the mussel species. We are committed to taking action to prevent further illegal acts of fishing and we are now working with Police Scotland and other partners to ensure that this is stamped out in this area of Assynt.”