mussel shells

[featherduster]

Why is it illegal to collect empty mussel shells?
Just about every year I wll find an empty mussel shell (at least that's what I think it is) laying around my pond.
These shells are the size of my hand ( about 6"-7" inches long)and are black in color.
My twin grand daughters love to find them.

[morrison]

As with all endangered and protected species, the law not only protects the animal or species itself but also any part there of. Basically part or parts of a species are treated as the actual species.