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Cambrian News
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Cambrian News
Wales' marine policy labelled 'rudderless' as MSs call for end to bottom trawling
Ms Finch-Saunders told Senedd members: 'Stopping this wicked trawling in MPAs would be one of the most impactful steps that this Welsh Government could take in meeting nature and climate commitments for protecting and effectively managing 30% of our sea by 2030.'
South Wales Guardian
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Senedd Member calls for restrictions on bottom trawling
Janet Finch-Saunders said she could hardly imagine a more wasteful way of catching fish than bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets across the sea floor. The Conservatives' shadow climate secretary told the Senedd: 'It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place.' Ms Finch-Saunders warned: 'These practices effectively bulldoze through and destroy seabed habitats. They release high levels of carbon and they catch untargeted marine life.' She stated bottom trawling is excluded in less than 1 per cent of seas, with restrictions around Skomer Island – only one of the 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) surrounding Wales. Ms Finch-Saunders described the 'destructive' method of fishing as 'incompatible' with MPAs, which are meant to be sanctuaries for marine life. She urged Welsh ministers to follow Westminster's lead, with the UK Government consulting on proposals to ban bottom trawling in 41 MPAs – an area spanning 30,000km2. Ms Finch-Saunders pointed to the example of a ban in Lyme Bay in south-west England leading to a 430 per cent increase in the richness of the species mix. Contributing to the debate on July 9, Joyce Watson raised long-held concerns about the impact of scallop dredging in the special area of conservation in Cardigan Bay. She said: 'Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along.' Her Labour colleague Carolyn Thomas said she was horrified to watch Sir David Attenborough's Ocean documentary film. But she added: 'It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.' Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister who is responsible for environment policy, described the use of bottom trawling around Wales as relatively limited. He told the Senedd the main king scallop fishery in Wales is managed under a joint fisheries management plan with England to ensure long-term sustainability.
South Wales Argus
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
Senedd Member calls for restrictions on bottom trawling
Janet Finch-Saunders said she could hardly imagine a more wasteful way of catching fish than bottom trawling, which involves dragging heavy nets across the sea floor. The Conservatives' shadow climate secretary told the Senedd: 'It is a national disgrace that this Welsh Government is allowing such destructive and wasteful practices to take place.' Ms Finch-Saunders warned: 'These practices effectively bulldoze through and destroy seabed habitats. They release high levels of carbon and they catch untargeted marine life.' She stated bottom trawling is excluded in less than 1 per cent of seas, with restrictions around Skomer Island – only one of the 139 marine protected areas (MPAs) surrounding Wales. Ms Finch-Saunders described the 'destructive' method of fishing as 'incompatible' with MPAs, which are meant to be sanctuaries for marine life. She urged Welsh ministers to follow Westminster's lead, with the UK Government consulting on proposals to ban bottom trawling in 41 MPAs – an area spanning 30,000km2. Ms Finch-Saunders pointed to the example of a ban in Lyme Bay in south-west England leading to a 430 per cent increase in the richness of the species mix. Contributing to the debate on July 9, Joyce Watson raised long-held concerns about the impact of scallop dredging in the special area of conservation in Cardigan Bay. She said: 'Scallop dredging, like other forms of dredging, is an incredibly destructive fishing practice – the entire structure of the seabed is damaged as rakes are dragged along.' Her Labour colleague Carolyn Thomas said she was horrified to watch Sir David Attenborough's Ocean documentary film. But she added: 'It did say there was hope, that if bottom trawling ended – the ecosystems, the biodiversity could soon recover.' Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister who is responsible for environment policy, described the use of bottom trawling around Wales as relatively limited. He told the Senedd the main king scallop fishery in Wales is managed under a joint fisheries management plan with England to ensure long-term sustainability.
North Wales Live
02-07-2025
- North Wales Live
Anti-social behaviour is on the decline in North Wales, policing boss says
Anti-social behaviour in North Wales is on the downturn, says the area's police and crime commissioner after visiting towns across the region. A report to the North Wales Police and Crime Panel backed the claims and was presented to members at a meeting at Conwy 's Coed Pella HQ. The report from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin says anti-social behaviour (ASB) is down by 4.6% from last year, whilst police attendance at incidents had increased by 5%. Earlier this year, Mr Dunbobbin attended a Llandudno residents' meeting organised by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders after a spate of vandalism in the resort. Gangs of youths had been accused of smashing up shelters on the promenade, stealing from hotels, and vandalising Venue Cymru. Mrs Finch-Saunders and Mr Dunbobbin later rowed, disputing crime figures in the town, with the commissioner complaining about Mrs Finch-Saunders instructing residents to log incidents with her office. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. But presenting to the panel, Mr Dunbobbin explained he had attended a Home Office briefing in May on keeping town centres safe as part of a neighbourhood policing campaign. He also revealed he'd visited towns across North Wales, including Llandudno. 'Over the last six months, I have been proactive in engaging with local communities to listen to concerns affecting them around ASB, including visits to Prestatyn, Llandudno, Llangefni, and Buckley,' said Mr Dunbobbin. 'In addition, I have also been out on patrol with officers in Holyhead and Deeside to understand how local police teams are tackling ASB and also joined a sergeant on patrol in Rhyl, during ASB Awareness week, to look at how they are implementing the Clear Hold Build approach to tackling ASB and low-level crime there.' He added: 'Analysis of ASB shows that incidents have reduced by 4.6% this year across North Wales compared to last year; low level behaviours continue to account for most events. Although recorded incidents have reduced, attendance has increased by 5%, and I hope this shows the level of policing commitment to victims of ASB.' The commissioner also revealed he had visited Rhosmeirch, Anglesey, in February, where police had put in place a 'community alert messaging system'. The crime commissioner's report also detailed £92,080.94 – increasing to £200K in 2025/26 – to fund various community schemes aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour, including the relaunch of a 'Summer Sports' project for young people during school holidays.
Wales Online
02-07-2025
- Wales Online
Anti-social behaviour is on the decline in North Wales, policing boss says
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Anti-social behaviour in North Wales is on the downturn, says the area's police and crime commissioner after visiting towns across the region. A report to the North Wales Police and Crime Panel backed the claims and was presented to members at a meeting at Conwy 's Coed Pella HQ. The report from North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Andy Dunbobbin says anti-social behaviour (ASB) is down by 4.6% from last year, whilst police attendance at incidents had increased by 5%. Earlier this year, Mr Dunbobbin attended a Llandudno residents' meeting organised by Aberconwy MS Janet Finch-Saunders after a spate of vandalism in the resort. Gangs of youths had been accused of smashing up shelters on the promenade, stealing from hotels, and vandalising Venue Cymru. Mrs Finch-Saunders and Mr Dunbobbin later rowed, disputing crime figures in the town, with the commissioner complaining about Mrs Finch-Saunders instructing residents to log incidents with her office. Sign up for the North Wales Live newslettersent twice daily to your inbox. But presenting to the panel, Mr Dunbobbin explained he had attended a Home Office briefing in May on keeping town centres safe as part of a neighbourhood policing campaign. He also revealed he'd visited towns across North Wales, including Llandudno. 'Over the last six months, I have been proactive in engaging with local communities to listen to concerns affecting them around ASB, including visits to Prestatyn, Llandudno, Llangefni, and Buckley,' said Mr Dunbobbin. 'In addition, I have also been out on patrol with officers in Holyhead and Deeside to understand how local police teams are tackling ASB and also joined a sergeant on patrol in Rhyl, during ASB Awareness week, to look at how they are implementing the Clear Hold Build approach to tackling ASB and low-level crime there.' He added: 'Analysis of ASB shows that incidents have reduced by 4.6% this year across North Wales compared to last year; low level behaviours continue to account for most events. Although recorded incidents have reduced, attendance has increased by 5%, and I hope this shows the level of policing commitment to victims of ASB.' The commissioner also revealed he had visited Rhosmeirch, Anglesey, in February, where police had put in place a 'community alert messaging system'. The crime commissioner's report also detailed £92,080.94 – increasing to £200K in 2025/26 – to fund various community schemes aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour, including the relaunch of a 'Summer Sports' project for young people during school holidays. Public notices in your area
