AM asks: ‘What future for the cockle industry?’

Mid and West AM Simon Thomas raised the future of the cockle industry in the Senedd during First Minister’s question time.

Plaid Cymru AM Simon Thomas, whose regional office is in Llanelli town centre said: “We are approaching the time of year when, in the past, we have seen widespread deaths in the cockle beds. It is important to recognise that Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water is investing in the Burry Inlet area to improve water quality, but that is going to take many years. There are a number of schemes over several years. I met some of the traditional fishermen in that area over the Easter recess and they asked me to ask the First Minister, quite plainly, whether the Welsh Government supports these traditional methods of gathering cockles and whether the Government wants to see this industry continue and therefore will put its full support to the continuation of the industry in future.”

The First Minister replied: “I understand that the fishery itself is very sustainable indeed. During my time as the Minister for rural affairs, I met several cockle fishermen over several months. What is unfortunate is that there is not a clear reason as to why these cockle deaths have occurred; there are several factors involved according to the studies that have taken place. What is important is that we ensure that these cockle deaths do not occur again in order to ensure the sustainability of the fishery itself.”