REPORTS
Return to Reports Home

DIRECTOR’S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 31st DECEMBER 2008

WEATHER
The period was characterized by mixed weather:  mild and rough in early October, becoming cold with frosts and strong northerly winds halfway through.   Milder rough weather resumed in the second half of November running into December, becoming settled and very cold until 12th January when the weather broke.  The two periods of prolonged cold weather (October/November and December/ January) comprised the coldest winter we have seen for a decade and perhaps what might be considered a more ‘normal’ winter in a historical content

It will be interesting to see how the fish and wildlife adapt to the ‘resetting’ of winter clocks.  Sea water temperatures especially, are expected to be of particular interest.

Fishing activity at sea is always low at this time of year, but whelk fishing/scallop fishing excepted, has been very low this year.

FISHING ACTIVITY
FINFISH
Netters and the occasional trawler activity took rays, sole and bass from the Bristol Channel.  Codling and whiting were poor.  Bass dispersed by November end.

The Total Allowable Catch (TAC) for cod for the ‘non-sector’ ran out in early December requiring all cod to be returned until the New Year.  This, along with the weather, caused disruption to the seasonal cod boat angling competitions off Swansea.

For 2008 the EU are considering establishing a TAC for rays for the first time. Upon provisional inspection it looks like each vessel might only have a quota of 1.5 tonnes, far lower than is necessary.  This has caused great concern amongst the local fleet who have ‘bid for a figure of 6 - 8 tonnes/vessel/month.

MOLLUSCS
Whelks
Following the Committee’s decision not to implement a seasonal closure in 2008, vessels fished both up to Xmas and afterwards – leaving their pots at sea.

It is disappointing to report that several enforcement actions were necessary regarding compliance with the Committee’s minimum whelk size.  Poor grading was the issue.  However, we need to investigate the cause of this.  Is it a high density of small whelks on the ground (a positive sign of good year class strength OR a sign of depletion?)  Are high prices/demand causing standards to slip or is it a case of financial conditions starting to bite?

Cockles
As previously reported there are no stocks of sizeable cockle anywhere.  A smattering of Burry Inlet licence holders fished 13-14mm cockle occasionally to supply local markets only.  Complaints from consumers were common.  The cooking plants have had to adapt their equipment to allow for such small meats to be processed.  The CEFAS November survey in the Burry Inlet indicated that 2008 spatfall was only average or less, and accordingly the cockle size was raised after Xmas which then put an end to any legal fishery.  Poaching was non-existent anywhere.  Some 67 tonnes (at £300/tonne) only was taken from the Burry estuary.

Mussels
Mussel demand (and prices of up to £600/tonne for large mussel) partially filled the ‘hole’ left by the cockles.  Certainly gathering effort was widespread and keen.  Adult mussel on the north side of the Burry Inlet and at Cwm Ivy (Whiteford) was targeted.

Winkles
Again effort was reported widely from most areas selling at £1200 - £1300 per tonne.

Oysters
Some very limited oyster fishing took place in the Milford Haven both upstream and downstream of Neyland Bridge.

Scallop
A few local and visiting boats fished from the conclusion of the Welsh National closed season on 1st November, mainly off Fishguard.  Some early effort in St Brides (Pembs) came to nought due to poor catches and scallop size.  Off North Cardiganshire, especially 6-12nmiles offshore, it was a different story.  Landings were reported as being heavy (in excess of 100 bags per 24 hours) selling at £60/bag but reducing to £30/bag by the year end.

Thankfully gear conflict issues were minimal, largely due to the good liaison work undertaken by the Welsh Fishermens Federation before the season commenced and good spirit of co-operation between local and visiting mobile gear operators with those using static gear.

CRUSTACEANS
Catches of lobster, crab and spider crab tailed off as would be expected.  It was heartening to see that brown crab catches were reported to be good of quality shellfish.  This is against a background of declines in recent years.

One trawler reported catching some small crayfish off south Gower – an unusual event which might portend well for the future.

GENERAL
Swansea Bay saw numbers of nets set which kept local officers busy checking for marking and other compliance.

Similarly, local Police constabulary were engaged to check up upon alleged poaching of mussel by commercial interests from private mussel fishing lays (Several Orders).  Nothing was proven, but SWSFC staff worked with all parties confirming the position of the lays and checking that the mussels were sizeable.

The FPV was maintained and kept ‘ship shape’ during patrol lulls.  There always remains plenty to be done.

All FOs undertook refresher courses for sea survival, First Aid and Fire Fighting.  It seems that these were not as thorough as has been in the past and we may need to review suppliers. Courses for towing, Mapinfo GIS software mapping and Marine Protected Areas were also attended.

Meetings involving all staff were held with WAG Fishery Division regarding future management under a single regime in Wales.

The second meeting of the Cockle Mortality Working Group took place again facilitated by Open University for EA, who had appointed Professor Mike Elliott from Hull University to take forward a scientific programme.  Following this, a plan has been put to WAG for funding, and a response is awaited.  However, as the MCO points out, time is worryingly short to establish a coordinated baseline monitoring programme if the cockles start dying again in April as they did last year.

The area again abounds with yellow picric acid dyed oystercatchers (or ‘canaries’ as they are referred to colloquially).  There are apparently many thousands of birds, but this year a higher proportion appear to have been marked in an attempt to understand over what area and upon what they feed.

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

OUTSTANDING CASES END DECEMBER 2008

CONCLUDED CASES - END DECEMBER 2008

There were no further matters which went before the courts.