Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 19 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 24 March 2025. It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Wednesday, 26 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Shellfish: Conservation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps he is taking to help increase the freshwater pearl mussel population.

Answer

The Government is supporting the recovery of freshwater pearl mussel by working collaboratively with environmental organisations to restore rivers and watercourses, raising awareness about the importance of freshwater pearl mussels and encouraging community participation in their conservation. Enforcement agencies are also ensuring compliance with the nature conservation laws to protect freshwater pearl mussels from illegal harvesting and environmental damage.

As well as habitat-based actions the Environment Agency has established a captive breeding programme in Kielder, Northumberland to boost existing populations by providing a safe start to their lifecycle before they are returned to the wild at carefully chosen locations.

Finally, we are exploring opportunities to reintroduce the species to river systems from where they have been lost; Natural England and partners are planning a freshwater pearl mussel reintroduction, the “R4ever Kent Life project”, which will also help inform other reintroductions across the country.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 39435
Session: 2024-26
Subjects: Conservation Shellfish
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk

Shellfish: Conservation

Secondary information

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