WELSH Government has agreed to the request by Janet Finch-Saunders, Aberconwy MS, for the ban on harvesting razor clams in Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr to be extended.

The current ban was due to run out on December 31.

With the deadline being only a month away, Mrs Finch-Saunders has received a response from Lesley Griffiths MS, minister for rural affairs, and North Wales, and Trefnydd.

In this response, she stated: “I will be extending the ban. The razor clam fishery in Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr will remain closed from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.”

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Commenting after securing the extension, Mrs Finch-Saunders said: “It is essential for the future of the razor clams along our coast to ban harvesting.

“I know that some have been returning and undertaking this activity illegally, so hate to imagine the huge increase in the number of people we would see if the ban was lifted at the end of December.

“I am pleased that the minister has agreed with me and residents that the ban needs to be extended. I thank her for continuing to take the matter seriously.

“What we now need to see is the Welsh Government decide on a way of assessing the razor clam beds at Llanfairfechan and Penmaenmawr.

“This has now remained uncompleted for several years.”