While the Welsh government consults on setting up 10 highly protected marine conservation zones (HPMCZ) around Wales’ coastline, one report by fishermen offers a different approach.
Creating the zones would mean a ban on fishing, dredging and anchoring in all or some of the areas.
This consultation by the Welsh government is the first of three and has already run into problems.
The arguments centre around the 10 zones under discussion in north and west Wales, which were formed on the advice of the Countryside Council of Wales (CCW), and fully supported by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
On Wednesday, the Welsh Fishing Association (WFA) will hand Environment Minister John Griffiths a copy of a report called Striking the Balance, which outlines the key principles of the WFA’s eco-system-based approach.
The report claims to offer “high levels of environmental protection” without impacting communities.
One of the zones is around Bardsey Island, off the Llyn Peninsula.
Boatman and lobster fisherman Colin Evans says if he cannot fish in the future he is unlikely to carry on with other aspects of his work, such as ferrying tourists and carrying supplies for the eight island residents.
He says the zones do not have to have a “no take” rule for fishermen.
“We’re all in favour of marine conservation. I would argue low-impact, sustainable pot fishermen like us are the only conservationists who have a proven track record in this area,” Mr Evans said.
Mr Evans and a few hundred other inshore fisherman around Wales catch and sell lobster and crabs up to three miles from the coast, using cages known as lobster pots.
These waters are rich in marine life, seabirds and seals, which is why the Gill Bell, from the MCS, wants to see all the protected areas in place as soon as possible.
“We think these sites will bring the safe havens that the wildlife need. You have nowhere in the Welsh marine environment where you can’t fish,” she added.
“We think [the HPMCZs] will benefit the whole of the eco-system which will have knock-on effect on tourism and fisheries.”
But Mr Evans said: “I think they have disregarded fishermen like us. I don’t think we were on the radar of the Marine Conservation Society.”
BBC