Zoned digging introduced at The Gann

Published

9 years ago

March 8, 2016

The Gann: Site of Special Scientific Interest

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES (NRW) has introduced dig and no-dig zones at The Gann, Pembrokeshire in order to protect its biodiversity.

The Gann is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) found within the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and is used heavily for bait digging.

There have been concerns for some time that the large scale digging has the potential to impact on the biodiversity of the Gann.

Following recent partnership work NRW may now be a step closer to managing these impacts.

Recreational digging requires no licence because anyone can dig for bait that is for personal use whereas commercial diggers need the land owner’s permission.

Problems arise when commercial diggers try and pass themselves off as recreational because the two are very hard to tell apart.

The environmental damage caused by uncontrolled bait digging is not a problem unique to the Gann so any management strategy must address commercial and recreational digging equally.

NRW was very fortunate in that The Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Relevant Authorities Group (SACRAG) were able to fund a review which considered case studies from across the UK.

This proved to be invaluable in understanding the different options available to us and where the responsibilities lie.

Sue Burton, Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer, organised a series of meetings where stakeholders agreed to zoning the beach into ‘dig’ and ‘no dig zones’.

Restricting bait collection through zoning will eventually require a byelaw or statutory instrument to back it up. A voluntary code will be used until byelaws are put in place.

Chris Lawrence, Senior Conservation Officer for NRW, said:

“Safeguarding habitats like this is one of NRW’s main priorities.

“The area is used by local businesses and residents alike so it’s important to protect the local habitat and biodiversity from excessive digging”

“Implementing the zoning plan will help protect biodiversity at the Gann and encourage habitat recovery while continuing to allow recreational digging activities and support industries like fishing.”

NRW completed a review of the available science during the summer of 2015 and with help from partners, investigated the wildlife of The Gann, both at the surface and within the sediment.

Early results indicate that the lower, sandier shore has a high level of species including red algae, peacock worms and sand mason worms.

The upper muddy/gravel shore had the highest levels of bait digging and lower amounts of species were recorded there.

Work is being done to determine whether this is because of the digging activity on site or a natural difference due to shore height.

In future, NRW hopes to repeat the survey to ensure the efficiency of the code of conduct and ensure that any additional or alternative management measures are based on solid evidence.

A sign was put up to inform bait collectors of the new code and NRW have begun activity monitoring to ensure people are following the new rules.

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

26 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

53 mins ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

News

Protest in Lampeter to save Wales’ oldest university

Published

1 hour ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save Wales’ oldest university staged a march and demonstration last Friday (Dec 20) in a bid to highlight the plight of the Lampeter campus.

The protest, organised by the Lampeter Society, brought together former and current students, along with local residents, to oppose plans by the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to relocate humanities courses to Carmarthen next September.

The rally began at Lampeter Rugby Club at 10:30am, with demonstrators marching to the university campus. Despite the timing—on a weekday and so close to Christmas—organisers reported a strong turnout.

Ieuan Davies, one of the organisers and a Lampeter alumnus from the 1980s, said: “We wanted to show support for the students whose education is being directly affected by these plans, and to remind decision-makers of the devastating impact this will have on the local economy and culture.”

Established in 1822, Lampeter is Wales’ oldest higher education institution. In 2009, it merged with Trinity College Carmarthen and later joined with Swansea Metropolitan University to form UWTSD.

The proposed relocation of the humanities faculty has sparked concerns about the long-term sustainability of higher education in Lampeter. Campaigners argue that losing the faculty would mark the end of over 200 years of academic heritage in the town.

The Lampeter Society has also launched a petition calling on the university and the Welsh Government to create a ‘viable, sustainable plan’ for the campus’s future. The petition requires 10,000 signatures to trigger a debate in the Senedd and can be accessed at https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246410.