 Cocklers are travelling further and further from the shore |
A repeat of the cockling tragedy in Morecambe Bay could easily happen again, coastguards have warned. They say rescuing cocklers is getting harder because they travel further from the shore as shellfish stocks decline.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said many gangs are continuing to put profits before safety.
There have been 15 rescue incidents involving cocklers in the bay since the disaster in February that claimed 21 lives, the MCA said.
"We keep trying to talk to these gangs about safety, but you can often see a glint in their eye that shows that they're thinking they can make a few bucks and any concern for safety comes after that," a spokesman told BBC News Online.
'Big thunderstorm'
He said that while cockling has been going on in the bay, which covers 120 sq miles, for hundreds of years, those taking most of the risks have little or no experience of working in the area.
"The risks are greater the further and further out you go, and all it would take is one big thunderstorm, like the ones we've been having in the last few days, and the disaster could happen again," the spokesman said.
Cocklers have been banned from fishing in the River Dee's estuary after a survey revealed a drop in mature cockle numbers. The Environment Agency (EA) took the decision on Wednesday after consulting fishermen and conservation bodies the Countryside Council for Wales and English Nature.
Problems have been increasing since 2001 with hundreds of cocklers going to the beds on the Wirral, at the border between England and Wales, attracted by high prices paid by shellfish processors.
The EA said patrols will be carried out to stop illegal cockling and legislation is being drawn up to limit the number of fishermen working the area and the introduction of a licence fee charge.
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