PROPOSED NEW MANAGEMENT MEASURES FOR SCALLOP DREDGING IN CARDIGAN BAY

Welsh Government has re-launched its Cardigan Bay scallop dredging consultation on whether to permit an expansion of scallop dredging into areas protected for their internationally important habitats and wildlife.

The consultation, which now closes on the 27th February, can be found by following this link: http://gov.wales/splash?orig=/

The following article written by George Monbiot explains why dredging for scallops isn’t a very good idea for the environment, nature and local economies:

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/georgemonbiot/2015/nov/09/allowing-scallop-dredging-in-strictly-protected-dolphin-reserves-is-madness

For those who might be interested the following is a shortened version of my personal response to the consultation. I have chosen not to click on any of the yes/no questions and have only completed the free text box at the end.

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SCALLOP DREDGING IN CARDIGAN BAY SAC
Supporters of managed scallop dredging say it is comparable to, and no more damaging than repeatedly ploughing farmland. I find this comparison extremely alarming as ecosystems subjected to this type of management, either on land or sea, will never develop to contain mature, structurally and biologically diverse habitats that support the full range of expected species. Scallop dredging in Cardigan Bay was completely unmanaged until 2010 and will have caused significant damage to the seabed that may take several decades to recover.

The two year study that informs the consultation does not address my concerns as it assumes that the current condition of habitats within the protected areas (SACs) to be the norm/ideal. Consequently any management regime put in place based on this research will seek to maintain habitats as they are i.e. in a degraded state. This will not satisfy the legal obligations of the Habitats Directive, the European legislation underpinning the SACs.

Even if the Welsh Government was able to establish some sort of management plan, that also ensures that there isn't a negative impact on local economies (another vital consideration placed on Government by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015) it’s so unlikely that it will be enforceable that’s its best not to permit any expansion of dredging in the first place.

Instead of increasing scallop dredging, I believe that it should be banned from Cardigan Bay entirely, allowing nature to fully recover. And, rather than seeking to promote an obviously destructive activity Government should be focusing its efforts on encouraging and supporting sustainable local enterprises that respect and value the bay and its wildlife. That would be an approach that would guarantee nature and people a future.
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If you are concerned by what increased scallop dredging will do to Cardigan Bay’s wildlife I urge you to submit a response to the consultation saying this and explaining why you are worried. You could also write to (or e-mail) your AM telling them how you feel and ask them to oppose scallop dredging within wildlife areas that are so valuable that they have been recognised as such under European law – it’s always a good idea to ask them for a reply! You might also want to suggest that because of the obvious damaging impact that scallop dredging has on the environment it should be banned from the bay entirely. If you do contact to your AM you could also contact (or send a copy of your correspondence to) Carl Sergeant the Minister for Natural Resources and the person who is ultimately responsible for making this decision.