Aberconwy AM makes further calls in the Senedd for impact assessment on harvesting and salting Razor Clams

Beach

Following the public meeting held and campaign led by Janet Finch-Saunders AM with regards to Razor Clam harvesting in Llanfairfechan, in addition to the ban which the Welsh Government have implemented, the Member has made further calls for an impact assessment on harvesting and salting razor clams.

Janet said:

“Harvesting razor clams is a serious issue in Llanfairfechan. In addition to issues such as alleged anti-social behaviour, and the number of harvesters, concerns were also raised about the impact of the harvest on the clams’ sustainability.

“Whilst I am delighted and most grateful to Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, for introducing a ban on the harvest, after all the concerns raised, an impact assessment is still needed.

“The fact of the matter is that we need to be able to ensure that harvesting is done in a sustainable way that does not compromise the conservation of the sea bed and marine life.

“Having met with representatives of the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University, I am confident that they would be well placed to carry out an impact assessment on the harvesting and salting on the species for the Welsh Government”.

ENDS

Notes

The key part of the Member’s speech on The Draft Welsh National Marine Plan relating to razor clams:

‘Further along the north Wales coast, and still in my own constituency, concerns over the mass harvesting of razor clams at Llanfairfechan have been raised time and time again, and I would like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for her actions in actually putting a ban on those. That was action that you have meaningfully taken, and I am really appreciative of that. I have called for the Welsh Government to commission work through the School of Ocean Sciences at Bangor University to look at the impact of harvesting and salting on the species. How lucky are we to have such a university at Bangor. They are incredibly well renowned and recognised the world over, so use that resource’.

2017 Public Meeting: Harvesting of Razor Clams on Llanfairfechan Beach