Pearls in Peril in Wales

£3.5 million has been allocated to save freshwater mussels from disappearing into oblivion. We used to have millions but populations have plummeted due to pearl fishing and habitat destruction.

Nineteen rivers in Scotland, one in northern England and the Afon Eden near Trawsfynydd are the focus of the research and rescue. Full details of the project can be found on the project website. There is also a podcast by project officer, Elain Gwilym, on the work in Wales and this can be downloaded from Radio Wales Country Focus. 

Empty pearl mussel shell, must have been at least a hundred years old