You wouldn’t think that mussels would be threatened by poachers, but they are.In fact, a ring of mussel poachers was recently caught and its three members sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 12 to 24 months. In addition, the three were ordered to pay $65,000.00 in fines.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources worked together in an undercover (under water?) investigation to nail these guys.
Over a two year period, the agencies documented that nearly 250,000 mussels were illegally taken and then sold overseas to Japan and other countries.So what does Japan want with the mussels?
Cultured pearl production, that’s why. Although the market has shrunk over the years, the pearl industry still racks up millions every year.
