Hundreds of freshwater pearl mussels killed by logging activities at Hukkajoki River in Suomussalmi

Hundreds of instances of heavy machinery driving over protected and endangered freshwater pearl mussels have likely occurred, according to Eero Moilanen, a conservation expert from Metsähallitus, who spoke on Yle’s morning program. The incident took place at the Hukkajoki River in Suomussalmi, where an estimated thousands of these protected mussels have died due to suspected severe violations of nature conservation laws. The event occurred on August 15 during logging activities by Stora Enso.

Stora Enso announced the incident, and researchers from Metsähallitus observed the logging machinery crossing the river and returning along the same path. Moilanen explained that the estimates of damage are based on mathematical calculations regarding the logging area’s size and the volume of wood removed. A major clear-cutting operation in the area encompassed several dozen hectares, with an estimated 5,000 cubic meters of timber.

Although the logging operations were halted, Moilanen believes that at least 4,000 cubic meters were already harvested and transported. Each load of the machinery accommodates 20-23 cubic meters of wood, indicating nearly 200 trips across the river may have taken place. Taking into account additional trips needed to transport logs to a storage area, the machinery might have crossed the river up to 400 times.

Moilanen further noted that deep tire tracks confirmed that the machinery had traversed the river hundreds of times. A similar logging thinning occurred in the area in 2011, but Moilanen remarked that this was not done as systematically or as frequently as in the recent incident. He reported the findings to local authorities, who noted the difficulties in proving the extent of damage. Fortunately, researchers happened to be on site, allowing for timely evidence collection.