Following a mutilated harbour porpoise being washed up dead by the Little Orme in Perhyn Bay, Janet Finch-Saunders, as its Species Champion in Wales, has asked serious questions to the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs over commercial fishing and bycatch.
Janet said:
“I was extremely concerned to learn that harbour porpoise are being found dead ashore in North Wales, and in particular by the Little Orme.
“Over the past year I have been working with Conwy County Borough Council, National Resources Wales, and Mostyn Estates, to address concerns about the wellbeing of the marine wildlife by the Little Orme.
“I have now written to the Welsh Government to ask what measures it is taking to deal with porpoise being washed dead ashore, to reduce bycatch, and ensure that commercial fishing vessels are subject to regular compliance checks”.
ENDS
Written Assembly Questions submitted by Janet Finch-Saunders AM to Lesley Griffiths AM, Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs:
- Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the policing of fishing licenses issued to commercial fishing vessels, and explain how regular compliance checks are undertaken?
- Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the fact that porpoise are being washed dead ashore in North Wales, and explain what measures the Welsh Government is taking to stop such deaths?
- Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement on the threat fishing nets can pose to fish and sea mammals, and explain what action the Welsh Government is taking to reduce bycatch?
Notes