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Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.
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Threats
The main cause of the decline of this species is thought to be the use of trawls and dredges in fishing, both of which disturb the seabed and damage fan mussels, often removing them from the sediment. Further threats include gravel and sand extraction (3).
Conservation
Atrina fragilis is listed as a priority species under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) and is fully protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act. The lack of information on the biology of this species hinders efforts to conserve it. However, recent work has shown that it may be possible to restore populations where favourable habitat remains. It has been demonstrated that live specimens are able to survive being moved and 're-planted' into the sediment (4). As the species is attached to the sediment, it is also possible that protected areas could be established where good populations survive (4). A dedicated survey of this species is needed to determine its UK distribution more accurately (4).
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There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.
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View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
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The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for this species is available at UK BAP.
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