DIRECTOR'S REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDING 31 MARCH 2005 WEATHER : Continuing mild throughout with a few light frosts in March. Wet in January, becoming drier in February and March. Winds came from most directions and were frequently strong, but severe weather was rarely experienced. FISHING ACTIVITY Anglers and netsmen continued to take some bass - both small and large. This is perhaps a sign that winter water temperatures remain high. A late run of reasonably sized codling was experienced to the east of the district but rarely made it to Swansea. Most recently, reports suggest good numbers of small codling. It is too early to say if this represents the best year class for some years, but the signs look better. Seasonal beach netting for cod, bass and flounders
took place throughout Carmarthen and Swansea Bay mainly by hobby
fishermen. Such netting is prohibited over the summer months because
of the need to protect migratory fish. Molluscs : Whelk fishing stopped under the Committee's 1st January - 14th February closed season. Upon commencement 13 boats took reasonable catches at £600/tonne. Most of the boast (10) fished Carmarthen Bay, 1 Fishguard, 2 in Swansea (the larger of the two fishing in the west anyway). Officers are endeavoring to review the current biological status of the stock in order to inform decisions on a review of the minimum size and closed season. However, from the influx of new vessel effort and revised upgrading of craft it does seem that industry has confidence that current landings will continue. Cockles : Cockles remain largely unavailable due to their small size, and the Burry Inlet was closed for the first time throughout February and March. Stocks overall are very healthy and are based on the very strong 2004 year class which appears to be over wintering very well. The settlement is very extensive and has added to areas outside of the Burry Inlet and Three Rivers such as at Cwm Ivy. The timing of future fishing will depend upon the speed of seasonal growth and/or the extent to which the Committee drops the size. Cockle on the lower shore has a longer feeding time and grows faster. Cockle thinning is believed to aid both the survival and growth of remaining cockle. However, in European Conservation sites, such a decision will now require prior assessment. During storm events at exposed locations the cockles came together in 'rouches'. Normal practice is to authorize their removal or else they would waste and decay. In this quarter such cockles had limited marketability because of their small size, but we might expect the event to become more common as the cockles grow and 'elbow' themselves out of position and are 'light' during the spring spawning period. Cockle 'poaching' took place in January on patched adult cockle at St Ishmaels and day/night patrols were stepped up accordingly. Mostly the presence of an officer prevents an activity. Public health classification progressed of a small cockle bed at Angle (c 60 t) and larger bed in Pembroke River (c 1000 t). Samples for the latter were collected by vessel dredge due to access difficulties. Mussel : Fishing for adults took place in the Burry Inlet (North and Pwll) which saw 24 tonnes valued at £4320 taken. Also quality mussel at Llansteffan was hand removed - 6 tonnes valued at £1800. The seed beds at St Ishmaels and Whiteford were visited but are yet to be fully surveyed. It is clear that winter losses through erosion and sanding up have been extensive and new settlement has yet to occur. Future quantitive surveys will document this. Fishery Officers investigated allegations of unauthorized mussel fishing in Swansea Bay taking place outside of designated Private (Several) fisheries. There was evidence of this but it could not be attributed to either operator. It became clear that misunderstandings existed between the operators and the situation was defused and clarified. A consultation by the Director with interested parties with a view to legalizing the collection of mussels washed inshore of Several Order areas met with a positive response from CCW and Swansea Council, but not from one of the operators. This has therefore been 'put on ice'. Oysters : Some dredging by 3/4 boats took place upstream of Neyland Bridge, Milford Haven. Catches were reasonable. Crustaceans : As expected, effort remained at the seasonal low. Spider crab are now present all year and even off Fishguard - again an indication of mild winters. FO M Tilling went about his new patch making contacts, building intelligence and ensuring that the Committee's shellfish sizes were well promoted. GENERAL When completed? the vessel will have a high electronics specification, and will provide a safer and better quality working environment. Training : On the job training continues for the 'new recruits' and courses in Fishery Officer enforcement and Fishing Gear operations have been attended as described. Two officers, Dr A Woolmer (Marine Conservation Officer) and Rob Richards (FO) commenced work on the 1st and 14th February respectively. Several officers had an excess of hours toil/leave which were run down to contract at year end. Overall : Whilst the
first quarter is always the less active one from a fishery perspective
and 2005 being especially so, there is no longer a period which
can be considered quiet from the SWSFC fishery management service
perspective.
NOTE : Some inspections are covered under more than one legislation and therefore can appear as more than one count in each period. OUTSTANDING CASES - END MARCH 2005
CONCLUDED CASES - END MARCH 2005 CASE ONE CHARGES COURT SCHEDULE PROSECUTION CASE The defendant was stopped in his vehicle where he was accompanied by another licence holder. A preliminary check of the catch suggested the presence of undersized cockle so three bags were chosen for closer inspection. The average sample revealed 27% undersized. Interviewed under caution BP expressed surprise at the presence of undersized cockle. DEFENCE CASE VERDICT MITIGATION SENTENCE He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £100 costs (£500 application).
CHARGES COURT SCHEDULE. PROSECUTION CASE A vehicle drove onto the bed and several persons including the defendant alighted and were clearly seen to engage in cockle gathering activity. Following a recent incident when persons in similar circumstances had evaded inspection upon the sands, the Officers elected to wait at the beach exits for the conclusion of the activity. Having gathered significant quantities of cockle the vehicle was loaded by the persons and driven to the exit. Upon sighting the Officers the vehicle was driven at speed to an alternative exit where another Officer was positioned. At this time the vehicle attempted to exit the beach over the sand dunes having driven through a group of holiday makers. When it got stuck the defendant and another person alighted the vehicle and ran off over the dunes (the attempt to evade inspection amounted to Obstruction). Officer Matt Dawkins, not long with the Committee at that time gave chase and eventually caught up with the defendant. Under caution Harding denied any involvement with illegal cockle gathering. Other Officers had departed the beach exit to give assistance to, and ensure the safety of Officer Dawkins thus unavoidably allowing the vehicle to escape. Dyfed-Powys Police were contacted but could not find the vehicle to stop and search it. DEFENCE He denied helping to load the vehicle but had accepted a lift off the beach from the persons which he knew but was not prepared to identify. They were not called as Witnesses. They had panicked when they saw the Officers but the Defendant had no control of the vehicle as a passenger. He denied running from the Officer and claimed only to be attempting to regain the road where his lift home was waiting. No cockles were produced by the Prosecution to show gathering took place. VERDICT COMMENTARY Cockle gathering invariably takes place in wide open spaces where covert observations must be conducted from a considerable distance. The recording onto video in such circumstances requires specialist equipment which is both expensive and operationally cumbersome. Officers have considered and trialed such equipment and will now revisit the issue in an attempt to fill the evidential gaps revealed by this case. The Health and Safety of Officers in these circumstances will always be paramount. The offenders in this case showed blatant disregard for everyone's safety. CASE THREE CHARGES COURT SCHEDULE PROSECUTION CASE Back at the Patrol vessel now at anchor in Rhossilli Bay, a radio call was received from the Defendant who claimed to have lost a net. He was invited to attend the Patrol Vessel's position to assist with enquiries. When he arrived in his boat, he came alongside the RIB which due to the weight of the net had been left in the water. After an exchange with the Officers regarding the DEFRA licence position of the fishing vessel, and contrary to the Officer's specific instruction, the Defendant took the net from the RIB back into his boat and departed into the night. This amounted to obstruction as the net had been seized in the course of a criminal investigation. DEFENCE CASE VERDICT CASE FOUR CHARGES COURT SCHEDULE PROSECUTION CASE Some time later FO Soroka went to the Defendant's position and clearly saw that there were undersized cockles in his sacks. When the Officer advised him of this fact, the defendant subjected him to a vulgar and abusive tirade delivered accompanied by the menacing waving of a cockle rake in his direction. Officer Soroka was concerned for his safety, retreated and informed Dyfed Powys Police. When two Constables arrived they accompanied FO Soroka back to the defendants' position when he allowed an inspection of his cockles which revealed 84% undersized. When required to return the cockles to the sands the Defendant insisted on driving with them to another cockle bed nearby. DEFENCE CASE VERDICT |
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