Pollution and Decline of Coracle Fishing in Carmarthenshire Rivers
BBC News reports on the severe impact of pollution on coracle fishing in the River Tywi, Carmarthenshire. This centuries-old tradition faces potential extinction due to industrial, agricultural, and human waste pollution.
Key Points:
- Fishermen report "no fish" left in the river after testing by Save the River Tywi revealed high levels of pollution.
- One coracle fisherman caught only one fish during the entire three-month season (May-July) – a stark contrast to previous years.
- Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is investigating several ongoing pollution enforcement cases within the Tywi catchment.
Historical Context:
Coracle fishing, done at night with small rounded boats and nets, was once an important livelihood in west Wales. Today, it primarily serves as a heritage tradition.
Impact on Fishermen:
- Andrew Davies, chairman of Carmarthen Coracle and Netsman Association, notes the significant decrease in fish caught compared to previous years.
- Keith Elias, whose family has fished the river for 300 years, expresses his love for the tradition but admits he’s struggled to catch any fish recently.
Pollutant Sources:
- Nearby River Teifi was previously identified as one of the UK’s most polluted rivers, with numerous spills reported in 2024.
- Welsh Water has acknowledged responsibility for some pollution incidents.
- Local residents have filmed suspected discharge from an electronics recycling company (Mekatek), which holds a discharge license from NRW.
Mekatek’s Response:
Mekatek expressed concern over the decline in sewin and claimed they’ve spent decades improving their processes to minimize environmental impact.
