The Welsh Government’s decision to open the areas of Bae Ceredigion and Pen Llŷn a’r Sarnau up to scallop dredging has shocked members of the local community in Ceredigion.
Aberystwyth University Nature Society is hosting a drop-in community forum event concerning the practice of scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay, taking place Saturday 3rd 10:00 -14:00 December at Aberystwyth Bandstand. Wales Green Party shares the concerns of Aberystwyth University Nature Society and opposes any scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay. Ceredigion Green Party has actively campaigned for wildlife conservation and highlight that scallop dredging is one of the key concerns on the agenda.
Ceredigion Green Party has raised several questions regarding the recent announcement by the Welsh Government that they will reopen Cardigan Bay to scallop dredging. The Welsh Government is being urged to shed light into whether local people would benefit from scallop dredging, as well as whether there is an option to develop a diving scallop industry following the steps Scotland has taken to limit the damage to the seabed. Ceredigion Green Party are also curious as to where the impetus to restart dredging in a Special Area of Conservation is coming from. The party urges for an open and honest discussion from the part of the Welsh Assembly Government on the issue.
Alice Hooker-Stroud, leader of the Wales Green Party expressed full support to those in the local community who are against scallop dredging in the area. She said:
“Cardigan Bay should be a jewel in Wales’ crown. The wildlife in the area draws tens of thousands of visitors - and over £4 million - to West Wales each year. The Welsh Government is putting that local economy and the local wildlife at risk.”
Naomi Davis of Aberystwyth University Nature Society said: “This area is vital in supporting the UK’s largest breeding population of bottlenose dolphins, the internationally important Atlantic seal, as well as the large variety of fish, molluscs and crustaceans who call the Bay home. We feel that the National Assembly has a responsibility to protect all conservation areas from dangerous commercial practices and to listen to the local people who will be directly affected.”
Elly Foster, Ceredigion Green Party member said: “In 2010 following an extensive consultation, important protections were introduced by the Welsh Government to limit destructive scallop dredging in the Bay. Now following pressure from scallop fishermen for short-term economic gains, this precious area is to be opened up again with permits awarded for scallop fishing. Claims are made by the Welsh Government that this new approach is supported by research and that there will be no risk of harm. Yet these claims rest on a very insubstantial foundation. The research conducted does not demonstrate with any confidence that harm will not occur.”
Ceredigion Green Party are working with several different stakeholders on the issue and last week welcomed a talk from Mick Green of the Whale and Dolphin Society.
Green highlighted that Brexit has the potential to make the already threatening situation worse. “We must keep vigilant” he said, “and keep up the pressure on our elected representatives. We need to fight to keep Environment high on the government agenda.”
The main advantage of the EU directives over the international treaties is that NGOs can take the Government to a European court if they feel the directive is being ignored or not being enforced properly. Once article 50 has been triggered, the government will put a Great Repeal Bill through parliament which will transfer all existing EU law into UK law.
Wales Green Party is concerned that this may be to the detriment of environmental protection in the UK.
“Brexit could mean we lose the power to protect our environment. We must make sure this does not happen”, said Alice Hooker-Stroud.