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World Animal Protection fund environmental divers to clear marine litter from Pembrokeshire coast

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World Animal Protection Fund Environmental Divers to Clear Marine Litter from Pembrokeshire CoastGLOBAL animal welfare charity World Animal Protection UK is funding volunteer environmental divers Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners (N.A.R.C) on August 11th and 12th, to clear lost lobster pots, fishing net and rope from the Pembrokeshire coast.

Lost or discarded fishing nets, lines and pots, otherwise known as ‘ghost gear’ is a huge global issue for marine animals – a staggering 640,000 tons of ghost gear is lost in our oceans each year. This lost gear continues to catch animals and affects Pembrokeshire wildlife such as the yellow sponge crab, the colourful Ballan wrasse (fish), the bottlenose dolphin and grey seal.

Last year on a similar dive N.A.R.C cleared one tonne of commercial fishing net and 13 lobster pots, 12 of which were still ghost fishing and they anticipate a similarly successful haul this year. N.A.R.C has a passion for clearing litter from the underwater environment in Pembrokeshire and work with local fishermen to identify where pots have been lost.

Once they have located a suitable location, divers descend in buddy pairs armed with scissors, bags, trays and lifting bags. Dives can last up to an hour in which litter is collected, bagged and sent to the surface for retrieval by a support boat.

World Animal Protection has been supporting the project by funding dives and creating films and other educational materials with local fishermen to show simple tips for preventing gear loss and how to modify pots to limit the impact of ghost fishing.

Christina Dixon, World Animal Protection UK Campaigns Manager said, “N.A.R.C do an incredible job collecting marine litter and keeping the oceans safe and enjoyable for animals and marine users alike. Ghost gear is a massive global problem and our job is to work collaboratively with the fishing industry, environmental groups and policy makers to prevent it happening.”

David Kennard, N.A.R.C Chairman said, “We work closely with the fishing community to locate the best place to dive, for example somewhere pots have been lost during winter storms. Lost gear is an issue not just for wildlife but also for the sustainability of local fisheries and biodiversity, so it is great that we are able to collaborate with industry stakeholders so that we can clear the gear and also share ideas to limit loss in the future.”

World Animal Protection UK has been highlighting the efforts of the fishing community to tackle the impact of ghost gear and last year awarded Nigel Sanders, a Swansea-based fisherman, the Sea Change Champion Award for his low-tech pot modification project intended to prevent lost pots from continuing to fish at the end of their life.

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Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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.

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