Skomer Island is the only marine nature reserve in Wales

Recreational anglers and divers also face restrictions at Skomer Island under plans being put forward by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW).

It has proposed a new byelaw that would eventually create the first zone where commercial fishing is banned in Wales.

The CCW said it had concerns about the future of several fragile marine habitats off Skomer.

It is hoped that an area free from the removal of any living resource will give valuable opportunities for research Phil Newman, CCW

The proposed byelaw, which will be discussed by the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee at a meeting in Swansea on Friday, would stop the taking of any finfish or shellfish with two exceptions.

Recreational fishing with hook and line, both from the shore and sea, would be allowed in one designated area of the marine nature reserve (MNR) popular with anglers and charter boats.

Phil Newman of the CCW said: "This is a concession to the local community, which not only benefits economically from anglers who come to fish from the shore, but use it widely themselves."

Livelihoods

The other exception is for a small number of local commercial fishermen who can prove they have regularly fished the area during the last few years.

This would qualify them for a permit to use lobster pots although numbers would be restricted.

"Fishermen would not be able to sell or give the permits to anyone else - therefore as fishermen retire from fishing, the number of permits would decrease until eventually no commercial fishing takes place."

Mr Newman said it would allow those who depend on the waters for their livelihoods to continue and would not force them to compete for space with others outside of the reserve.

The CCW has already spoken with more than 50 interested parties although if approved on Friday, there would be a wider consultation before the byelaw is brought in.