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Tiny rare snail to recieve protection
05/09/2008
One of the world's smallest and rarest snails, the narrow-mouthed whorl snail, measuring less than a millimetre in width, is to receive special protection at its most northerly outpost in Britain.
Minister for Environment Michael Russell today designated Garron Point, near Stonehaven, as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) due to the presence of the tiny gastropod.
Only 10 areas in the UK - including two in Scotland - are thought to be home to the species.
Mr Russell said:
"The Scottish Government is committed to protecting and enhancing Scotland's biodiversity and that includes species of all shapes and sizes.
"The narrow-mouthed whorl snail is clearly one of our smallest, but also one of our rarest species and it is classed as endangered in the UK.
"It is therefore important that we do what we can to ensure that it remains part of Scotland's unique biodiversity, even if we know relatively little about it.
"The designation of Garron Point will ensure that that narrow-mouthed whorl snail is given a chance to thrive in the area."
The site near Stonehaven is one of only two known localities for this species in Scotland. The other, on the Solway Firth, is very small and considered likely to be destroyed soon by natural coastal erosion. There are only 10 known locations for the species in the UK, of which 7 are within SACs.
This brings the number of Scottish sites formally adopted by the Commission and designated by Scottish Ministers to 239. The existing 238 were designated on March 17, 2005 following an assessment to ensure that the Directive has been applied consistently across the European Union and that the Scottish sites meet the scientific criteria for designation as SACs.
The snail is one of 18 animal species found in Scotland that are listed in Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive. Annex II lists the species for which Member States identify Special Areas of Conservation.
Scottish Natural Heritage consult on proposed designations on behalf of Scottish Ministers. The designation of Garron Point SAC completes a process which began with a consultation exercise carried out by SNH in 2005.