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2.3.5 Leisure

2.3.3.1        Sea Fisheries

Historically, Cardigan Bay supported large herring fisheries between the 14th and 19th centuries. Records from the 18th century show annual landings of up to 739 million herring. Since then the herring fishery has declined, and the emphasis of the fishery has changed to lobsters, crabs, rays, dogfish, prawns and scallops.

Records from the 19th century indicate that the traditional fleet working in the area has been of small vessels, with very few fishermen operating from local ports all year round. This pattern remains evident in current fishing activity, and probably reflects the physical exposure of the Bay and the relative lack of sheltered fishing grounds.

Most of the fishing vessels working the inshore part of the cSAC (0-6 nautical miles from baselines) are from the small fishing ports of Cardigan, Aberporth, Llangrannog, New Quay and Aberaeron. These are generally small (under 10m) vessels, mostly engaged in potting for crab and lobster, with a small amount of fishing with static and mobile nets for sea fish.

Crabs and lobsters are the mainstay of the local fishing fleet at present. Although nominally a year-round fishery, most fishermen concentrate their effort during the spring, summer and early autumn. The shallow, exposed waters of the Bay discourage potting during the stormy winter months. Drift and set nets are used occasionally during the summer months to take sea fish, with some scallop dredging taking place in the autumn.

A small number of larger vessels work in the outer part of the cSAC (beyond 6 nautical miles). These are principally the larger beam trawling and scallop vessels, prevented from working closer to shore under SFC byelaws.

The cSAC extends out to the 12 nautical mile limit, and French registered vessels are allowed access to the 6-12nm area in the outer, south western part of the site.

A small fish processing plant exists in New Quay, processing molluscan and crustacean shellfish caught from within and outside the cSAC.

Management

There is a public right of fishery in UK tidal waters. This generally extends to all species of sea fish, and does not discriminate between persons or classes of persons. The UK fisheries authorities have legal powers to regulate this public right, for example in relation to particular sea areas, the removal of certain species, and the use of certain types of gear. The Sea Fisheries Committees and MAFF enforce many such measures in Cardigan Bay. Further information is set out later in this document.

2.3.3.2        Migratory Salmonids

During the 19th century salmon were heavily exploited commercially in the Teifi estuary by estuary seine nets, fixed nets and coracle nets.

Today, four seine nets operate in the Teifi estuary (downstream of Cardigan Bridge, just into the SAC area between Cardigan Island and Cemaes Head), catching an average of 130 salmon and 200 sea trout annually. The number of licences available is controlled by a Net Limitation Order, promoted and administered by the EAW with approval of the National Assembly of Wales (NAW). Operation of these nets is controlled by bylaws issued by EAW with the approval of NAW.

Management

Fishing for migratory species of fish (salmon, sea trout, and eels) both at sea and in rivers is regulated by the Environment Agency Wales.

Fishing with seine nets is carefully managed. Only licensed fishermen can use seine nets for salmon fishing, and the number of licences is controlled by a Net Limitation Order, promoted and administered by EAW with approval by the National Assembly for Wales (NAW). Operation of these nets is controlled by byelaws issued by EAW with the approval of NAW. These byelaws limit the times and seasons of operation. For example, the close season runs from 31st August to 1st April, and all fish caught between 1st April and 1st June must be returned alive. There is also a close time in fishing in the open season between 0600 on a Saturday and 1200 the following Monday.

2.3.3.3        Sea Angling

Sea angling has become a popular pastime with good fishing from the Teifi estuary and beaches and rocks along the coastline, for species such as flounder, bass, mackerel, whiting, dogfish and conger.