New report into Burry Inlet cockles welcomed

A new report which shows that cockles in the Burry Inlet were not killed by pollution has been welcomed.
The report published by the Environment Agency shows that the estuary is cleaner than it has ever been.
The investigation, which has been ongoing for many years, has halted development and regeneration along the Llanelli coastline. It has directly led to the loss of much needed jobs and investment in the town and surrounding area.
Carmarthenshire’s regeneration executive board member Cllr Clive Scourfield said it was now time that opponents to the developments accepted the findings once and for all.
“We hope now that this report will finally stop the scaremongering about water quality,” Cllr Scourfield said, “and that those who have been using this issue to halt every single development in the Llanelli area and beyond will accept the reality – something we have been stressing for many years - which is that the estuary is cleaner than it has ever been.
“This report clearly shows that cockle mortality has not been caused by pollution, which we very much welcome and hope that it will be accepted once and for all, even by those who do not like or agree with its findings.”
The Welsh Government-commissioned investigation looked at all the possible causes for the mortalities that have damaged the industry since 2002, in one of the most in-depth studies of its kind. The study, led by experts from Hull University, concluded that a combination of parasites, over-crowding and conditioning of the cockles after spawning is likely to have contributed to the mortalities.
Cllr Scourfield added: “The cockle industry now needs support to go forward and I welcome the Welsh Government’s decision to produce a management plan with specific measures to overcome the likely causes of the mortalities.
“It is hoped that this will help minimise the risk of cockle mortalities and help the industry along the Burry Inlet to thrive once again.”
Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Alun Davies said: "It is good news that the water quality has been ruled out because it means we are a step closer to finding the root cause of the mortality of cockles and to addressing the issue that has affected the livelihoods of the cockle gatherers for some time."