Community

Recycle Môr: Turning the tide on ghost gear in Wales’ small harbours

Published

8 months ago

May 3, 2025

Sea Trust project gives abandoned fishing nets a second life—and communities a cleaner future

A COMMUNITY-LED project in Pembrokeshire is helping tackle one of the most overlooked threats to Welsh marine life: abandoned fishing gear.

Recycle Môr, run by Sea Trust Wales as part of the Natur am Byth! programme, is working to reduce the environmental and economic impact of End of Life (EoL) fishing gear—nets, ropes, and other equipment discarded at sea or in harbours. These “ghost gear” items can continue to kill wildlife for years. A single net is estimated to kill 500,000 invertebrates, 1,700 fish, and four seabirds.

***Lloyd Nev Kev at Abercastle Harbour with Recycle Mor Bin*** (Image: Recycle Môr)

The problem is especially acute in small harbours, which often lack waste facilities for commercial fishers—and where recycling options are virtually non-existent.

Recycle Môr provides a simple but effective solution: bright, accessible recycling bins placed in small harbours where fishers can dispose of their old gear for free. The scheme also encourages retrieval of marine litter spotted at sea. Once collected, the gear is sent for specialist recycling and transformed into practical items such as sunglasses, litter pickers, bag hoops, and knives.

***Recycle Mor Bin in Abercastle Harbour*** (Image: Recycle Môr)

Lloyd Nelmes, Project Officer for Sea Trust and the developer of Recycle Môr, said: “Fishing gear is made from incredibly durable materials that can take hundreds, even thousands, of years to break down. Dumping it in landfill—or worse, at sea—is both wasteful and damaging. We’re tackling that by making recycling easy, visible, and community-driven.”

Launched as a small-scale pilot, Recycle Môr has grown rapidly. In under four years, over 10 tonnes of fishing gear have been recycled thanks to the participation of local fishing communities.

But with success comes a new challenge. The demand has outpaced funding. Without further support, the project may have to scale back.

There are currently nine bins in use across small Pembrokeshire harbours, emptied daily by Sea Trust staff and volunteers. But the cost of maintaining the network is rising.

“If we can’t cover basic costs—materials, collection, and transport—we may have to remove bins altogether,” Nelmes said. “That would be a huge step backwards for the communities and the coastline.”

Additional funding would not only secure existing operations but also support the project’s long-term ambition: to expand Recycle Môr across coastal communities throughout Wales.

***Lloyd and Chris with Recycle Mor Bin at Tenby Harbour*** (Image: Recycle Môr)

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.