WHELKS TOO SMALL Swansea Magistrates Court heard about two cases of undersized whelks landings brought before them by South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee on Friday 3 April. Involving the same vessel ‘About Time PE8’ landing at Swansea marina, the court heard that on the first occasion 6 October 2008 the vessel landed 3 tonne sacks one of which contained 76% undersized. On 17 December an inspection by Fishery Officers revealed 63% in a 900kg haul. The cumulative value of the landings was estimated to be in excess of £2000. The Prosecution told the Court that regulations had been introduced on previously worthless whelks following heavy fishing for them in the late 1990’s when Far Eastern markets were developed. There was a closed season during spawning over winter months and also a minimum size. The shape of the whelk shell meant they were difficult to measure and bulk quantities necessitated the use of a riddle on vessels. An allowance of undersized had been written into the regulations but this was limited to 10%. The owner of the vessel, Robert Evans of 2 Burnett Close, Chryston, Glasgow was fined a total of £500 and ordered to pay £100 prosecution costs. The skippers of the vessel on respective occasions, Michael MacEarchen of Sunnyside, Manby, Grimoldby, Louth, Lincolnshire and Ieuan Bloom of 9 Heol Y Garreg, Pant Garreg, Llandysul, Ceredigion were each conditionally discharged for 1 year in respect of their involvement; they were each ordered to pay £50 costs. |
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