Health & Safety Executive
The cockle beds on the Pembroke River mudflats will open 1 day a fortnight from 6 July 2005 until 24 August 2005 (further days may be added if a catchable stock remains). These beds will provide only limited amounts of cockles. It is estimated that fishable stocks will be no more than 50 tonnes. Under SWSFC Byelaw 24, the beds will therefore have a restricted opening. The Health and Safety Executive, the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Dyfed Powys Police, Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (SWSFC) have together issued guidance for cockle pickers seeking to gather the available cockles. The guidance reflects the responsibilities and powers of the various agencies. It sets out requirements that cockle pickers must observe to minimise the potential impact on local communities and the environment, and to ensure the health and safety of the pickers. The Guidance packs are available from: CCW, Llanion House, Llanion Park, Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire, SA72 6DY; MCA, Gorsewood Drive, Hakin, Milford Haven Pembrokeshire, SA73 3HB and SWSFC, Queens Buildings, Cambrian Place, Swansea, SA1 1TW. The information has also been published on the SWSFC Website www.swsfc.org.uk.
"Specifically, we will wish to see method statements setting out these arrangements - to cover everything from getting onto and off the beds, safe working on the mudflats, protective clothing, and emergency procedures. We will, for example, expect workers to have access to mobile phones or other means of alerting the emergency services and high visibilty clothing, which is both warm and weatherproof. "All the information they will need to
prepare method statements is in our guidance; we will prohibit work
on the beds if the relevant assessments have not been made and suitable
systems put in place." "A zonation map showing the area of cockles, conservation features and other guidance can be found on www.swsfc.org.uk. The fishery will be closed when the TAC has been taken, but we will have no hesitation in closing the beds if fishery or conservation rules are not complied with. "Whilst the beds will have a public health classification
to enable commercial gathering to take place, the numbers, size
and quality of cockles is poor and we would urge all gatherers to
take sensible precautions and consider the risks involved before
venturing upon the soft muds." "All vehicles used for the purpose of gathering
cockles must be in a roadworthy condition and properly licensed
and insured. Strict enforcement will take place during the period
that the cockle beds are open and the police will prosecute any
vehicle used unlawfully or dangerously during the carriage of passengers,
equipment or load. In an emergency dial 999 and ask for Coastguard. For routine information on weather
and tides times etc Milford Haven Coastguard can always be contacted
24/7 on their routine number 01646 690909. Notes to Editors Health and Safety Executive: Nadia Nuaimi, Government News Network South West and Wales, on 0117 900 3566 The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW): Andrea McConnell, Team Leader, Pembrokeshire, and Blaise Bullimore, Senior Marine Conservation Officer, on 01646 624 000 Dyfed Powys Police: Press Office 01267 222 270/4
South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (SWSFC): Mr P J Coates (Director) & M S Stafford (Deputy Director) on 01792 654 466 Issued on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive by Government News Network. For further information please contact Nadia Nuaimi on 0117 9003566 or nadia.nuaimi@gnn.gsi.gov.uk IMPORTANT
FURTHER INFORMATION These are HISTORICAL Notices |
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