Welsh Conservatives have raised concerns over misleading information being published by the Assembly Government about cockle fishery regulations and bye-laws.
Shadow Minister for Environment and Sustainability Angela Burns AM has written to the Minister for Rural Affairs Minister, following the publication of a letter from Head of Inshore Fisheries Enforcement to a cockle fishing permit holder containing ‘tracked’ comments by officials highlighting errors in the content.
Commenting on the matter, Mrs Burns said:
“There is no doubt that the present situation is confusing for members of the public trying to abide by cockle fishery regulation.
“As one of the comments on the letter by the Head of Inshore Fisheries Enforcement highlights, the public are being directed to a website of an organisation that no longer exists.
“This is indeed misleading for members of the public and complicates access to important information regarding cockle fishery regulation.
“Organisations in my own constituency have expressed concerns to me that they have had a lack of representation on important consultation with the Inshore Fisheries Enforcement team. Incorrect information on Assembly Government websites and correspondence only serves to narrow engagement into consultation processes.
“The contents of this letter are embarrassing for Minister and her officials not only as it shows that the public are not being given correct information, but because it highlights that confidential correspondence is being circulated in the public domain.
“The Assembly Government must ensure that information about cockle fishery regulate is clear, accessible and accurate.”
