News

Senedd member slams ‘rudderless’ marine policy and calls for bottom trawling ban

Published

12 months ago

July 10, 2025

Finch-Saunders brands seabed destruction a ‘national disgrace’

A CALL to ban bottom trawling in Welsh waters was made in the Senedd this week, with Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders criticising what she described as the Welsh Government’s “rudderless” approach to marine protection.

Speaking during a debate on Monday (July 9), the Aberconwy MS said bottom trawling – the practice of dragging weighted nets across the seabed – was among the most “wasteful and destructive” forms of fishing.

“It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place,” she told members.

Finch-Saunders warned that bottom trawling destroys seabed habitats, releases high levels of carbon, and results in the death of untargeted marine life. She said it was currently restricted in less than 1% of Welsh waters, with protections only in place around Skomer Island – one of 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) around Wales.

The Belgian fishing boat Avatar sometimes operates from Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire

‘Incompatible with protection’

***‘Rudderless’ marine policy:*** ***Conservative MS Janet Finch-Saunders says Welsh Government is failing to protect the seabed around Wales***

Describing the method as “incompatible” with the aims of MPAs, she urged the Welsh Government to introduce a wider ban, pointing to the UK Government’s consultation on banning bottom trawling in 41 English MPAs, covering over 30,000km².

Finch-Saunders said: “Stopping this wicked trawling in MPAs would be one of the most impactful steps that this Welsh Government could take in meeting nature and climate commitments for protecting and effectively managing 30% of our sea by 2030.”

She referenced a ban in Lyme Bay, south-west England, which resulted in a 430% increase in species richness, saying it demonstrated the potential for marine recovery.

Scallop dredging and Gower cockling raised

Labour MS Joyce Watson echoed concerns, raising long-standing opposition to scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay’s special area of conservation.

“Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along,” she said.

Labour’s Carolyn Thomas shared her horror at scenes in David Attenborough’s Ocean documentary, but said there was hope: “It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.”

Meanwhile, Conservative MS Tom Giffard warned of unsustainable cockling in Penclawdd, Gower, after legislative changes led to an influx of gatherers.

“Residents are very worried that the seabed is not being protected and the future viability of cockles in Penclawdd is not being protected either,” he said.

Calls for balance

Saundersfoot’s razor clam harvesting also came under fire, with Conservative MS Sam Kurtz describing the practice as extractive and poorly controlled, even when done for “personal use”.

However, James Evans MS cautioned against overregulation, stressing the need to consider fishermen’s livelihoods.

“I do worry sometimes about banning things or overregulation for the simple reason that a lot of our fishermen make a living out of the sea,” he said.

Welsh Government response

Responding to the debate, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said bottom trawling around Wales was “relatively limited” and pointed to joint management of the king scallop fishery with England as an example of sustainable practice.

“We have robust management processes in place to protect our marine environment,” he said. “And we will react to any evidence which confirms the need for additional measures.”

He pledged a “proportionate, evidence-led” approach to any future restrictions.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

12 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

13 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

14 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.