COCKLE SIZES RETURN FOR BURRY INLET AREA Gatherers in the area have been allowed to take smaller cockles over the late summer following a dramatic increase in cockle numbers which, it was feared, would give rise to density problems in 2007. Having tackled the problem areas, the cockles will now be left to grow on for next year’s fishery. The Burry Inlet Cockle Fishery has seen wide swings in the quantities of cockles spawned onto the sands over recent years, resulting in considerable problems for cockle pickers when the shellfish have died in large numbers. It is hoped this process will not be repeated in 2007 and the fishery can return to some stability. In the meantime, the SWSFC and S&WWFC Ltd on behalf of the cockle industry, have called for combined funding for a long term study from a range of sources including the Environment Agency, Welsh Assembly Government, Local Authorities and Countryside Council for Wales but, as yet, no finances have been identified. (See PR 10/2006) |
||||
