River dig mix-up harms rare mussels (BBC) {endangered worldwide?!}

[eppur_se_muova]

By Mike McKimm
Environment correspondent, BBC Northern Ireland
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Following the excavation, 10% of the protected and endangered freshwater pearl mussels are thought to have perished.

It has not been proved yet why the mussels died after the digging, but scientists fear they were probably suffocated under the clouds of silt that were released.

The protection for the river as a Special Area of Conservation was specifically because of its rare mussels and its growing family of otters who have made it their home.
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Now the question being asked is why a digger was allowed to work on a protected river bed.
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{The WWF} has been carrying out a long-term project on the river to keep it in good shape because of its protected status. The group said they were "horrified" that it had happened.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/5243958.stm

Note: These are pearl mussels, not pearl oysters.

Reads like a shameful case of bureaucratic ineptitude, and one which may have Northern Ireland in hot water with the EC. Also a sad reminder of how fragile some ecosystems can be.

[skids]

1. And sadder yet there's a techical fix to avoid this...

I remember reading how the Cape Wind project plans to deal with this problem somehow.