Residents fear razor clam beds are being plundered

CONCERNS have been raised that razor clam beds, which were shut by the Welsh Government due to over-harvesting, are still being used.

Residents in Llanfairfechan are claiming to have seen people coming off the beach carrying large bags of the clams – despite a ban being in place.

Lesley Griffiths, the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs, decided to close the beds from August 19 until December 31.

The closure applies to all fishing for razor clams within the area, for any purpose – even personal consumption – and by any method.

Public notices have been put up at the beach in Llanfairfechan informing the public about the closure, which also includes the beach in Penmaenmawr.

The notice states: “This closure has been imposed for fishery management purposes and is intended to conserve and protect razor clam stocks.”

However, since the notice went up residents have reported seeing people harvesting the razor clams.

A woman posted on Llanfairfechan’s noticeboard: “Three Chinese there this morning two big bags coming off the beach, I told them it is illegal. All details have been passed on to the fisheries.”

A petition set up a few weeks ago asking the Welsh Government to act has more than 200 signatures.