January135500.jpg)
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture is asking people to show off their mussels!
Once common in the River Dhoo, and recorded as far back as the 17th century, the Manx Freshwater Pearl Mussel has all but disappeared from the Isle of Man's waterways.
DEFA is now asking people to get in touch to try to find out what happened to them.
Pearls from the molluscs were once used to try to bribe a governor, but river management project officer at the department Karen Galtress, says the days of finding such treasures are long gone (listen to audio file below):
(Picture: English freshwater pearl mussels, at the Freshwater Biological Association's Ark Project in Cumbria).
Missed opportunity in inmate's care, inquest finds
Seven arrests made as part of King Gaming fraud and money laundering investigation
Motorists urged to avoid Cooil Road following RTC
Probation for man caught with knife at Sea Terminal
Warning after tea towel tumble dryer fire
Calls for Sarah's Law on Isle of Man
