What steps have been taken to protect the freshwater pearl mussel and whether any link has been established between the level of such musse…

The freshwater pearl mussel is protected from killing or exploitation by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. In addition to this, the Scottish Executive has identified 18 sites as proposed Special Areas of Conservation under the EC Habitats Directive, where the mussels and their habitat will be subject to protection from deterioration, damage and disturbance. 17 of these sites have been formally submitted to the European Commission, and one is currently the subject of consultation. Freshwater pearl mussels also occur in a number of additional cSACs and Sites of Special Scientific Interest which primarily provide protection for other conservation interests.No link has been established between the level of freshwater pearl mussel populations and the decline of salmon and sea trout numbers in Scotland.