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News

Commercial Shellfishing Banned In Part Of Poole Harbour

A small section of Poole Harbour, from the Wareham Channel to the west of Seagull Islands, has been made the subject of a ban on all commercial fishing of any bivalve shellfish including cockles and clams. This has come following a review, by the Food Standards Agency, of classified waters for the harvesting of live bivalve shellfish.

Shellfish are regularly collected and analysed for levels of bacteria from various sites within Poole Bay and Harbour by Consumer Protection Services. The ban has been imposed because two samples of shellfish, from a sampling site in the Wareham Channel, contained levels of bacteria above the limit allowed under legislation.

The prohibition applies only to a specific area of the harbour; other classified areas of the harbour show satisfactory bacterial results and can continue to be fished (subject to license) as before.

Jeff Morley, Team Manager, Consumer Protection Services, Borough of Poole, said: "The prohibition has been put in place to ensure the shellfish that are being commercially harvested from the harbour do not contain bacteria or viruses at levels which could have public health implications. However, we are sympathetic to the difficulties that the ban will cause to the clam fishermen. The Council will be working closely with Southern Sea Fisheries Committee to enforce the prohibition, both to protect public health and to assist the legitimate clam trade by deterring poaching from the prohibited area."

Councillor Jonathan Pethen, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Environment, Borough of Poole, said: "It is essential for the success of our local fishing industry that we ensure that only shellfish of the usual high standard or those caught in Poole waters are landed. The Council will continue to sample from this area regularly and will be requesting the Food Standards Agency review the situation when we are confident that the quality of shellfish meets requirements set by legislation."

Consumer Protection Services are liasing with the Environment Agency to identify and remove possible sources of pollution. Sampling of the prohibited area will continue with a view to having the prohibition lifted when a sufficient number of satisfactory samples are obtained. Any decision to lift the prohibition rests with the Food Standards Agency.

Jeff Morley, Consumer Protection Services, tel: (01202) 261710