Three Rivers Cockle Fishery Closes. In fact, only cockle beds at Llanstephan were opened this year following a repetition of a die-off of cockles in the estuaries earlier in the year; a pattern which has been seen in recent years in both this estuary and the Burry Inlet. Despite some mortalities at Llanstephan, several hundred tonnes of good quality cockle were gathered on four single day openings over four weeks in June and July. Up to 270 individual gatherers were present on the sands where the Committee's regulations were enforced by its Fishery Officers. Police Officers from Dyfed-Powys were on hand in the village on each occasion to ensure public order, whilst vehicle activity was the subject of a permit system introduced by Carmarthen County Council. Close cooperation with representatives of the cockle fishing industry avoided any repetition of the uncontrolled events seen in 2005. The Chairman of the SWSFC, Mr Nick O Sullivan said “A smaller scale yet significant fishery has been successfully operated at Llanstephan. The co-operation by all parties involved has meant better quality and more profit for the industry, with less disruption to the local communities who we now hope will have a successful tourism season. The benefits of fewer, controlled gatherers has vindicated the Committee's policy to seek licensing of the cockle fishery some years ago; we hope that process can be given a renewed impetus by the new National Assembly in Cardiff especially as there early signs of a reasonable prospects for a larger fishery in 2008.” The cockle beds are now closed to all gathering, even for personal consumption, until at least 8th September by which time the Committee will have undertaken stock surveys to determine how cockle numbers have faired over the summer and to decide if a further fishery can take place whilst at the same time ensuring sufficient cockles remain to feed migrating bird flocks during the winter. |
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