P-05-1131 Immediate cessation of dredging operations off the Gower coast pending evaluation of adverse effects
P-05-1131 Immediate cessation of dredging operations off the Gower coast pending evaluation of adverse effects
P-05-1131 Immediate cessation of dredging
operations off the Gower coast pending evaluation of adverse effects
This
petition was submitted by Kerry Lord, having collected a total of 63
signatures.
Text of Petition:
Subsequent to the start of
dredging operations in Rhossili Bay, there has been a substantial and severe
depletion of sand on the adjacent Rhossili beach. This internationally-important
area includes associated dune systems which will also be adversely affected by
sand depletion. We call on the Welsh Government to effect an immediate
cessation of dredging operations pending a scientific review of the sand
depletion and its possible causes in order to avoid permanent damage and
habitat loss.
Additional Information:
Anecdotal evidence shows
that despite relatively benign weather conditions over the summer 2020 season
thus far, sand levels at Rhossili beach have suffered severe depletion. There
also appears to be significantly increased numbers of mollusc shell remains
(cockle, mussel, razor clam, oyster, etc.) as well as a vast increase in
numbers of starfish casualties. With the impending autumn and winter storm
season, the situation may become catastrophic for the extremely fragile
ecosystems which depend on the presence of natural sand deposits. Whilst it may
be coincidental that dredging operations have occurred at the same time as
unusually high sand depletion at Rhossili, it is vital that dredging operations
are put on immediate hold in order that an official scientific study has the
opportunity to evaluate probable causes.
Status
This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 02/03/2021.
The Committee considered the petition for the first time and
agreed to provide the further information received from the petitioner to the
Marine Licensing Team at NRW and request that they look into the observations
made and to liaise directly with the petitioner.
As monitoring and enforcement is the role of NRW is the Committee agreed that there is little further action that the Committee could take beyond that and therefore agreed to close the petition and thank the petitioner.
Full details of the consideration of this petitions by the
committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above.
It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 02/03/2021.
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Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: Complete
First published: 22/02/2021