THE MS for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders, has welcomed the news that a further Public Notice has been issued, pursuant to Byelaw 16 of the former North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee, which will see the areas closed for gathering activities for another year.

The Public Notice will be in effect from 12.01am on January 1, 2022 until 11.59pm on December 31, 2022.

The areas closed by this notice are the beaches of Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr which lie below the line of Highest Astronomical Tides, bounded in the west by the Afon Llanfairfechan and in the east by the Promenade at Penmaenmawr.

A prolific campaigner to conserve and restore the razor clam beds at Llanfairfechan and Penmeanmawr, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “Having previously written several times to the Minister to draw her attention to the deeply negative impact that razor clam gathering was having on the longevity and health of the local beds, I am delighted that this ban will be extended for another calendar year.

“These clam beds are an essential part of our biodiversity, as well as the tourism economy of Llanfairfechan.

“It is essential that the Welsh Government ensures that this action is now used for purposeful research. This cannot be just a tokenistic closure of the fishery.

“I should like to reassure constituents that I will continue to ensure that this most important environmental issue remains on the radar of those Ministers in Cardiff Bay so that we may safeguard these beds for future generations.”