Last week, one of Stora Enso's harvesting machines drove over the protected Hukkajoki stream in Suomussalmi, eastern Finland. The heavy machine crushed thousands of mussels, while others suffocated to death from mud, sand, and logging waste stirred up in the water, according to the Finnish Forest Authority.
Two biologists witnessed the event, reports Swedish Yle. It is known that Hukkajoki is crucial for the future of freshwater pearl mussels, according to the biologists.
About 150-200 meters of the stream are reported to be destroyed. The area is located on private land and is a protected habitat for freshwater pearl mussels. The incident is being investigated as a gross environmental crime.
This is not the first time Stora Enso has driven over Hukkajoki, but it was only now that it was discovered, writes Helsingin Sanomat. A freshwater pearl mussel is valued at 598 euros – equivalent to approximately 6,800 kronor – which means the forestry company risks having to pay millions in compensation.
Stora Enso states that all logging has been stopped at the site and the incident is being investigated.
We are very sorry about what happened, says the company's forestry chief Janne Partanen according to AFP.
Stora Enso's communications chief Ingrid Peuran later tells Helsingin Sanomat that they are trying to restore the stream under the leadership of the Forest Authority.
Over 3,000 mussels that are still alive have been moved to safety higher up in the stream, according to the Forest Authority's expert Pirkko-Liisa Luhta, who is leading the rescue effort.
