EMBARGOED UNTIL WEDNESDAY 6 JUNE 2007. The South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (SWSFC) has announced today that, subject to further positive assessment, The Three Rivers Cockle Fishery may open in late June . The precise date has yet to be determined and will be announced by Public Notice in the near future. Gathering would commence at the Gwendraeth estuary on Sundays, followed by Llanstephan and Ferryside on Tuesdays and then at Laugharne on Saturdays. Most of the interest will centre on Gwendraeth and Llanstephan where stocks are locally dense, although they add up to only a fraction of what was present in the bumper year of 2005. The fishery is likely to be closed before the end of July whereupon cockle stock levels will be reassessed to evaluate the potential for a further more limited fishery in the autumn. Consultation with stakeholders around the estuary has been undertaken by the SWSFC, Dyfed Powys Police and Carmarthenshire County Council. The difficulties associated with the fishery in 2005 are to be avoided by strict vehicle limitations imposed by landowners adjoining the estuary and other measures co-ordinated by Carmarthenshire County Council, to whom queries must be addressed (01267) 234567. A joint agency approach involving the Police and other authorities, in association with other circumstances, should see permit numbers reduced on those seen in 2005; furthermore as cockle stocks are now far less than in 2005 the fishery should be less intensive and of shorter duration. Taking place earlier in this year, the first phase of the fishery is expected to be completed before visitors arrive for the summer holidays. Permits issued by SWSFC will be restricted to those who fished in 2005 and who put in catch returns plus new applicants. Qualifying persons will be able to obtain a permit through the Committee’s web site at www.swsfc.org.uk Members of the public without a permit may gather 8 kilos for personal consumption on the gathering days mentioned above. |
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