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COCKLES WERE UNDERSIZED.

In two cases before Swansea Magistrate’s Court last week, local shellfish harvesters in the Burry Inlet cockle fishery were found to have contravened South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee byelaws.
In the first case, three Llanelli men; Richard Nicholas of 5 Heol Morfa; David Turner of 42 Lando Rd; and Clive Rees of 29 Heol Tregonning were found guilty of removing a catch of cockle on 24 July 2007 in which more than 50% were below the minimum size limit. They had also failed to comply with licence conditions regarding the identification of their catches. They were each fined a total of £330 and ordered to pay £130 in costs.

In the second case, two Penclawdd gatherers, Gordon Eaton of 14 Church Lane; and Andre Swistun of 60 Station Road were also convicted of removing undersized cockle. In their catches almost 90% was below the regulations. The men claimed to be in the process of undertaking a further sorting process; a version of events not accepted by the Court which fined them £255 and ordered the payment of £162.50 in prosecution costs.

Commenting after the cases, a Committee spokesman said “the Burry Inlet cockle fishery is facing considerable difficulties at the present time after a number of years where cockles have inexplicably died. Whilst the Committee works with its partners to find the cause and solution to these problems, it is vital that what gathering activity can be allowed, is conducted in strict adherence to the regulations. Only in this way will the cockles have a chance to regenerate.”