Funding for Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries to help protect pearl mussels
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The Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust have landed a share of £85,000 towards protecting freshwater pearl mussels.
The funding is through the Scottish Government's Biodiversity Challenge Fund.
Critically endangered freshwater pearl mussels at two Highland sites will benefit – the other being on the Isle of Mull.
Scotland holds many of the world’s most important populations of these mussels. However, the species is extremely rare in Scotland, mainly due to poor water quality, habitat damage and ongoing, illegal pearl fishing. Police Scotland run proactive operations against illegal fishers and Scottish Natural Heritage strongly encourages anyone who believes they have witnessed wildlife crime to contact the police as soon as possible.
The Kyle of Sutherland Fisheries Trust will focus on improving habitat for the mussels, both in the water and on the banks, working in a tributary of Loch Shin.
Other projects in the Highlands receiving funding are Trees for Life, who will use more than £46,000 to create a deer-proof enclosure to help establish a new native woodland for wildlife; and £156,000 for Curlews in Crisis Scotland to help the distinctive but dramatically declining bird population, which will include Caithness projects.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am delighted that, through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund, the Scottish Government and SNH can support these fantastic projects across the country to safeguard some of our most vulnerable species and habitats, and protect them from invasive species. Their success will play a crucial role in our efforts to improve nature and help Scotland meet its international biodiversity commitments.”
SNH chief executive, Francesca Osowska, said: “Climate change is one of the key drivers of nature loss – but it’s not too late to act. In fact, improving nature is also one of the solutions to the climate emergency.
“There are five areas we need to focus on to improve biodiversity – restoring our habitats, changing our use of the land and sea, reducing pollution and climate change and tackling invasive non-native species. These projects will improve nature across Scotland for all our benefit.
“We know we have a big task before us but we have been working for years with our partners to meet international nature targets. We are ready to deliver the transformational change needed to bring a nature rich future for Scotland.”
