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DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 30th JUNE 2008

WEATHER :  Settled throughout the period, breaking down in mid June.  Periods of thunderstorms and heavy rain in mid May.  Winds were generally light until mid June.

FISHING ACTIVITY
Finfish : Good early mackerel and bass, the latter tailing off.  Reports of a range of ‘exotic’ species like gilthead bream and bohr fish.  Black bream becoming more widespread in Carmarthen Bay.  Fishing activity by trawlers was generally low due to the continuing high fuel costs.  Two trawlers targeted bass in Carmarthen Bay and off Gower for a while causing consternation amongst anglers and some netsmen.

Cockles : Stocks were generally low and comprised only one year old cockle.  Those in the Burry Inlet and at Laugharne again experienced heavy mortality commencing 27th April, and which was largely (95-97%) complete by mid July (see report elsewhere).  Quotas and gathering period for Burry Inlet licence holders were extended as a consequence.

Sunday gathering at Laugharne commenced on 8th June, to very little effect.  Low prices due to low European demand and the presence of shell from dead cockles saw to that with ca 10 tonnes only taken.  Cockle ‘poaching’ activity was at an unprecedented low level.  Instead Fishery Officers and Biological staff diverted their attention between May and July to collecting samples of cockles and water etc for scientific analysis, and counting/measuring cockles on discrete transect lines in order to fully document the die off process.

Quantities of fast growing spat were evident in the Burry Inlet especially.  Cockle stocks in Burry Inlet and Three Rivers were surveyed in May as per usual.

Mussels : As previously reported, the absence of cockle and higher mussel prices has seen continued interest.  By this quarter only smaller mussel remained which required enforcement action to prevent their removal.  Although some larger sized mussel was exposed on spring tides.  Salmon Scar mussel was reported to have been extensively scoured by storms in January, with little now remaining.

Scallop:  The high level of scallop fishing activity in late March, when c 28 smaller craft of the 40 vessels in Cardigan Bay moved to north Pembrokeshire, resulted in the Molluscan Working Group temporarily close the fishery from the 14th April to 31st May 2008, from St Annes Head northwards (to 3nm offshore) out of concern for their impact on crustacean shellfish.  The National closed season under Welsh SI 1717 2005 then took effect from 1st June to 31st October, and WAG have been informed of the need to amend this in the long term.  WAG have asked the fishing industry to consult on their preferred management outcome.

Compliance was largely good, although allegations of breeches were received from the Hats & Barrels offshore area mainly based around confusion as to whether a drying rock extended the line.

Whelk : Only half a dozen boats now prosecute the fishery, most of whom now fish well offshore.  Two vessels continue to fish inshore in Carmarthen Bay and reported good catches and yields.  Prices of £700/tonne reflects price paid on yield.  Boats are now fishing further east also, from Helwick Bank (Gower) into Swansea Bay.

Crustaceans :  Lobster and edible crab appeared to have a slow start.  Not so spider crab, where good quality cocks and hens met ready markets seemingly due to low supplies elsewhere in the UK.  Protests by European fishermen over fuel costs, especially in France, led to severe disruption at ports and merchants on the continent and effectively prevented supply from the UK for a couple of weeks.

The combination of crustacean fisheries and scallop fishing meant that the FO (West) was kept busy as was the Fishery Protection Vessel in this region.

GENERAL
A survey for Crepidula (Slipper limpet) for CCW/industry at Whiteford point found the area clear.
“A Guide for Sea Anglers and Recreational Fishing” was produced by FO Tilling and distributed widely with a positive response..

Pembrokeshire Fish Week was attended on the weekend of 21st-22nd June in the shape of a stall and presence of FPV Cranogwen.  Despite inclement weather over 1000 people were believed to have attended the vessel which was well positioned this year amongst other attractions.  This appears to be a growing event and was much more successful for SWSFC this year than in previous years.

A new 5.4m boarding RIB (cost c £70k less 50% EU Grant) was secured from Marine Specialised Technology in Liverpool which required two trips to monitor the construction and to ‘wet test’.  Since delivery in July, feedback from staff on the vessels performance has been very encouraging.  The RIB now completes the vessels refurbishment and which has taken place in three stages:  Vessel and bridge electronics, engines and now boarding craft.

The FPV staff continues to deal competently and efficiently with issues as they arise - in this quarter fuel contamination, waste pipe and RIB launching apparatus problems.  These and berthing issues weigh upon operational sea performance targets but are a consequence of life.

The Director presented at a lively debate on No Take Fishery Zones organised by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum on 28th June, a consequence of which was the offer from fishermen and CCW to continue to pursue a voluntary no fish zone in the Skomer MNR with PCF acting as ‘honest broker’.

NOTE : Some inspections are covered under more than one legislation, therefore can appear as more than one count in each period.

OUTSTANDING CASES END JUNE 2008

CONCLUDED CASES - END JUNE 2008