News

New fishing quotas good news for Milford

Published

9 years ago

January 5, 2015

More catch: New fishing quotas agreed.

THIS WEEK saw a new deal brokered in Brussels on Britain’s fishing quotas, during an extended 30 hour set of talks. Fishermen in Britain have been told they will now be able to increase their catch of key fish, including cod, which will increase in 2015 by 5% from this year. This, however, comes in the face of scientific advice that suggests it should actually be cut by 20%. Speaking about the late-night deal, the UK’s fisheries minister, George Eustice, said: “Although these were difficult negotiations, I am pleased that we were able to secure the best possible deal to ensure sustainable fisheries and a strong UK fishing industry.

“While fishermen had feared there would be major cuts, we were able to keep the same quota as last year for many species, in addition to important increases to the North Sea cod and haddock quota, which will benefit Scottish fishermen.” There was also good news for UK fishermen in so much as they will now be allowed to catch 15% more prawns, 15% more plaice in the North Sea and a further rise of 6% in the Haddock catch, though there are reductions imposed in the Celtic Sea.

A reduction that could affect Welsh fishermen is that of sole yields in the Bristol channel. However, Andrew Clayton of the Pew Charitable Trusts, an organisation who advocate sustainable fisheries policy, said: “After decades of failing to get to grips with overfishing, the new common fisheries policy was supposed to bind ministers to setting sustainable fishing limits this year.

Instead, they have set a considerable number of [quotas] in excess of the level scientists advised, failing to meet the targets they set themselves for overfishing. “These are weak decisions, jeopardising the livelihoods of fishermen and the sustainability of stocks.” Adding to the concerns, was Greenpeace EU fisheries policy director Saskia Richartz, who said: “It is unacceptable that many of the fishing quotas agreed today fail to end overfishing. Ministers gave no justification for postponing action to recover fish stocks, despite new laws requiring that any delay is justified with appropriate evidence.”

The European commissioner for the environment, Karmenu Vella, said of the concluded deal: “We have succeeded in increasing the number of stocks that are now managed at sustainable levels. I can therefore say that sustainably managed stocks are now a broadly accepted concept across the EU. “This will allow fishermen to progressively reap more and more benefits in terms of higher catches for these stocks. “This is because science-based decision-making is increasingly becoming the norm.

We have worked with [ministers] to ensure that where we do not follow science, member states take the necessary decisions to avoid a real disaster happening later.” Speaking for the Port of Milford Haven – Alaric Churchill, Marina and Docks Manager told The Herald: “Quotas, like the weather, can have a huge impact on the livelihoods and businesses that depend on fishing in Pembrokeshire and we welcome decisions on quotas which will help boost sustainable fishing in Welsh waters.

As the owner of Milford Fish Docks, what we are doing is focusing on continuous improvement of the facilities and services available to the fishing fleets here in Wales’ busiest and most successful fishing port and creating more business opportunities for the industry here in Wales.” The manager added: “We promote the sourcing of sustainable and high quality seafood and are optimistic that fishing has a bright future here.

We have already begun work on upgrading the Fish Docks creating new fish processing units, offices and facilities for the dock’s inshore fleet. As part of the Milford Dock Master Plan we envisage seafood landed here playing a huge role attracting processing, retail and tourism businesses, creating further jobs and investment for the long term.”

News

Body found in missing person search in Carmarthenshire

Published

52 mins ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

IN THE LAST few moments, Dyfed-Powys Police can confirm that a body has been found this afternoon, Wednesday, November 29, during the search for Angharad, who had been reported missing.

Formal identification has not yet taken place, however Angharad’s family has been informed of this development.

Police said: “Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.”

Education

Excellent progress on construction of new Welsh medium primary school

Published

1 hour ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

A CELEBRATION event was held on the site of the new Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro in Pembroke on Tuesday 14th November to mark the reaching of the highest point of the building, traditionally known as the ‘topping-out’ ceremony.

The event was hosted by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd and attended by pupils and staff from Ysgol Gelli Aur, the Executive Headteacher of the new school, governors of the Temporary Governing Body of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Cabinet members, senior Council officers, and a members of the project team.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said that he was extremely pleased with progress at the site.
“Whilst I was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony, my Cabinet colleagues have shared with me their experience, and the excellent progress being made on the new school.
“I am particularly pleased that the project remains on budget, and on programme, which means that Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro will be in a position to admit pupils in September 2024.”
Members of the school’s Temporary Governing Body expressed their delight with the building.

The Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro, Mr Dafydd Hughes, confirmed that pupils and staff thoroughly enjoyed the event and that everyone connected with the school is excited at the prospect of moving to the new school next year.

“The fact that a new Welsh medium primary school is being built in Pembroke is an important and exciting development on so many levels.

“As Executive Headteacher of Ysgol Bro Penfro I am committed to ensure that when the school opens its doors in September 2024 every pupil will be given opportunities to flourish and thrive in a welcoming Welsh medium setting. I am also focused on ensuring that the whole Pembroke community takes great pride in the school.”

Pupils were very excited to see the new school. Among the comments received were: “We loved signing the steels, it will help us to remember when we came here when our school was being built and we will always be a part of our new school”

“I can see that everyone is working really hard to build us our school. The school is so much bigger than we expected and can’t wait to start learning in our new classes”.

The project is being funded by Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, and will provide a significant contribution to the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.

News

County mourns loss of revered priest and community pillar, Father McGreal

Published

3 hours ago

November 29, 2023

Tom Sinclair

THE CATHOLIC community in Pembrokeshire is in mourning this week after the passing of one of its most well-known priests, Father Owen McGreal, aged 88, former parish priest of St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby and former governor of Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest.

It is understood that Father Owen passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning (Nov 28).

Although he had retired from his role as parish priest in 2014, he remained active in the community, serving as a cover priest. He attended a Paul Sartori event in Haverfordwest just a few weeks ago.

In 2009, family, friends, civic guests, clergy, religious, and parishioners gathered together at St. Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby, to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Father Owen’s ordination to the priesthood.

His brothers, Lt. Col. Patrick McGreal and Mrs. McGreal, Fr. Michael McGreal (who passed away last year, aged 92), and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces came from Ireland to celebrate this great event. Among the guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns SM, then the recently appointed Bishop of Menevia; Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Daniel Mullins, former Bishop of Menevia; and fellow clergy.

In 2014, on his retirement, there was a concert at St Teilo’s bidding farewell to Father Owen after a total of almost 25 years of dedicated service.

Father Owen had dedicated a large part of his life in the church to the service of young people, so it seemed fitting, many said, that the concert included young talented musicians from not only Tenby but also from as far away as Norway and the USA.

On the news of Father McGreal’s passing yesterday, Leanne Prevel, Acting Headteacher of Mary Immaculate RC School, said in a letter to parents and guardians: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the death of Father McGreal, former parish priest, school governor, and long-term supporter and champion of Mary Immaculate School.

‘We understand that this news will have come as a shock to members of our school community.

‘Should you or your family need any support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact the school, or the Parish…’

‘Our Mass planned for December 8 will now be for the repose of the soul of Father McGreal. We also intend to hold a gathering at the school to remember and celebrate his life in the next couple of weeks. Further details will be shared with our school community in the coming days.

‘We remember in our prayers, Father Owen McGreal, and those impacted by his death.'”