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Scallop dredging, Cardigan Bay

The Petition of people of Ceredigion, Declares that dredging of the sea bed has been banned and restricted in several areas of the marine environment due to the proven damage that can be caused by intensive and large-scale dredging; further declares that the increased use of dredges in Cardigan Bay has potentially caused severe damage to the marine environment and the habitats of the creatures living there. The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to take all possible steps to encourage the Welsh Assembly Government to limit the number of scallop dredging boats licensed to dredge for scallops in Cardigan Bay, based on scientific assessments to be carried out while an interim ban is in place. And the Petitioners remain, etc. -[Presented by Mark Williams , Official Report, 4 November 2009; Vol. 498, c. 962 .] [P000407] Observations from the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: The Government recognise the potential impacts that intensive dredging could have on the marine environment and the species that live there. Following concerns over the increasing intensity of scallop dredging that has occurred in Wales over the last two years, Welsh Ministers pledged in February 2009 to undertake a review of the measures in place to manage the Welsh scallop fishery. Welsh Ministers have extended the closed season for scallop dredging in Wales (the fishery had been due to re-open on 1 November 2009) until the 28 February 2010 to protect both scallop stocks and designated European Marine Sites until further technical measures can be brought in via a new Statutory Instrument, which will help to safeguard the fishery and marine environment in Wales. It is anticipated that spatial restrictions will also be incorporated into the Order prior to the 1 March. Survey work due to commence shortly will provide robust evidence which will inform the process of identifying the geographic locations where the fishery should be restricted and where the fishery will be permitted to take place without endangering important marine species and habitats. It is the view of Welsh Ministers that the necessary protection of the sea bed in Cardigan Bay can be achieved through the closures and technical measures they are putting in place by Statutory Instrument. It is for WAG Ministers to decide how to fulfil their obligations to protect the marine environment.