The high world-wide price of cockles has fuelled demand

Commercial cockle pickers have entered an application made to test the quality of cockles on the sands at Tenby's North Beach and Saundersfoot beach.

If the cockles there are found to be fit for human consumption, commercial pickers could be allowed to harvest the beds.

Many residents say that commercial activity would deter tourists from using the beaches and could jeopardise their Blue Flag status - an award which assures the quality and safety of a beach.

As well as the impact of fishing, we are concerned about vehicles being driven up and down the beach Rosemary Hayes

The protestors are also concerned that commercial fishing could completely strip the small beds of shellfish.

Currently, residents and tourists are allowed to hand-pick small amounts of cockles for their personal consumption.

Tony Edwards, who is organising the petition, told BBC News Online: "Even though there are not many cockles there, the high price at the moment makes it worth a commercial operation's while to harvest them.

"They would strip the beds and it could take a couple of years for the cockles to come back.

Blue flags

"This is an issue for the whole of Pembrokeshire as people here are passionate about their beaches.

"Pembrokeshire has more beaches with Blue Flags than any other county in Britain.

"These types of beach are unsuitable for commercial cockle picking.

"It could affect tourism and we need tourists spending money in the area.

Commercial cocklers want to operate at Saundersfoot

"We've collected around 4,000 signatures from all over the county and we will be presenting the petition to South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee (SWSFC) asking them not to allow commercial fishing."

The local councillor for Saundersfoot, Rosemary Hayes, is also opposed to commercial cockle picking on Pembrokeshire's beaches.

She added: "An application has been submitted to Pembrokeshire Council by a firm to see if the cockles are fit for human consumption.

"I don't think they can come to any other result than to say they are, because the beach has a blue flag.

"There is only a small amount of cockles at Saundersfoot and a commercial operation will clear those in a couple of days.

"As well as the impact of fishing, we are concerned about vehicles being driven up and down the beach."

SWSFC spokesman Mark Stafford said recently that there had been increased activity in Saundersfoot in recent weeks after the discovery of a bed of around 20 tonnes of the shellfish.

He said restrictions were in place limiting people to hand gathering and daylight hours but there were no plans to introduce further limitations.

The cockle industry currently employs more than 100 people in south west Wales but most of the shellfish are harvested from the Burry Inlet between Gower and Llanelli.