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Hopes for oyster industry revival in Swansea Bay | Hopes for oyster industry revival in Swansea Bay |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Ten thousand young oysters are to be placed on a Swansea Bay fishing bed, not used since the 1920s, in the hope it will become a commercial fishery. | Ten thousand young oysters are to be placed on a Swansea Bay fishing bed, not used since the 1920s, in the hope it will become a commercial fishery. |
Permission was given for the plan to use the seabed off the village of Oystermouth after a request from shellfish expert Andy Woolmer. | Permission was given for the plan to use the seabed off the village of Oystermouth after a request from shellfish expert Andy Woolmer. |
He hopes to reinstate oysters on a 70-acre bed in the bay. | |
In the mid-1800s the oyster industry in south Wales employed hundreds of people but over fishing led to its demise. | In the mid-1800s the oyster industry in south Wales employed hundreds of people but over fishing led to its demise. |
The oyster beds stretched from Porthcawl to Milford Haven and more than 200 fishing vessels were used to transport the hauls. | The oyster beds stretched from Porthcawl to Milford Haven and more than 200 fishing vessels were used to transport the hauls. |
Fishermen exported nine million shellfish to London and the Continent but it was an industry killed off by over-fishing and improvements in methods of transport. | Fishermen exported nine million shellfish to London and the Continent but it was an industry killed off by over-fishing and improvements in methods of transport. |
The initial part of the new project will see if the juvenile oysters, which are coming from Stranraer in Scotland, can survive in Swansea Bay. | The initial part of the new project will see if the juvenile oysters, which are coming from Stranraer in Scotland, can survive in Swansea Bay. |
Marine biologist Mr Woolmer said: "We're going to reinstate some historic beds. | Marine biologist Mr Woolmer said: "We're going to reinstate some historic beds. |
"We're going to put down baby oysters, probably about half grown, and we're going to monitor those to see if they survive, because there's no guarantees here. | "We're going to put down baby oysters, probably about half grown, and we're going to monitor those to see if they survive, because there's no guarantees here. |
"If they grow and survive then we can start adding more oysters, but what I'm more excited about is the potential for the oysters that we've put down to breed." | "If they grow and survive then we can start adding more oysters, but what I'm more excited about is the potential for the oysters that we've put down to breed." |
The project has been welcomed by villagers in Oystermouth. | The project has been welcomed by villagers in Oystermouth. |
Local fishmonger Janet Green said she would like to see a return of the local oyster industry. | Local fishmonger Janet Green said she would like to see a return of the local oyster industry. |
Britain's oyster beds have never recovered from over-fishing in the 19th Century when the railways carted shellfish to London. | Britain's oyster beds have never recovered from over-fishing in the 19th Century when the railways carted shellfish to London. |
Only a few beds remain scattered round the coasts now and figures last year showed the total area is estimated to have been reduced by perhaps more than 90% - some scientists think 99%. | Only a few beds remain scattered round the coasts now and figures last year showed the total area is estimated to have been reduced by perhaps more than 90% - some scientists think 99%. |
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