The freshwater pearl mussel is protected under the Wildlife Acts and, as a result, any disturbance to mussels or their habitat is an offence. Entering the species’ habitat, including for the purposes of survey and monitoring, carries a risk of injury to mussels and of interference with or destruction of their habitat, so it must be licensed under Sections 9, 23 and 34. The licence application form is available here.
Although the application form refers to ‘capture or killing of protected wild animals’, it is required for all survey and monitoring of the species, even where animals will not be handled. Because the species is so threatened and in such poor condition, it is only in exceptional cases that handling or movement of animals is licenced. Evidence, such as the removal of Nore pearl mussels for captive breeding purposes, indicates a very high rate of mortality following translocation. While more than 20 people have been licensed to undertake basic stage 1 or stage 2 survey in recent years, currently only three experts are licensed to handle mussels, including for the purposes of demographic and juvenile survey. As well as ensuring the protection of the species and its habitat, this licensing system aims to ensure that survey does not interfere with permanent monitoring sites.