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| Morecambe Bay cockle beds reopen | Morecambe Bay cockle beds reopen |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Cockle beds across Morecambe Bay, where at least 21 Chinese cocklers lost their lives in rising tides in 2004, have reopened for the new fishing season. | Cockle beds across Morecambe Bay, where at least 21 Chinese cocklers lost their lives in rising tides in 2004, have reopened for the new fishing season. |
| The area has been completely out of bounds to cockle pickers since last May amid concerns about cockle numbers. | The area has been completely out of bounds to cockle pickers since last May amid concerns about cockle numbers. |
| Since the tragedy at Hest Bank three years ago, a new permit scheme has been introduced in a bid to improve safety. | Since the tragedy at Hest Bank three years ago, a new permit scheme has been introduced in a bid to improve safety. |
| The ban was lifted at midnight and about 220 cocklers began work in the Lancashire bay from 0430 BST. | The ban was lifted at midnight and about 220 cocklers began work in the Lancashire bay from 0430 BST. |
| The best stocks are said to be at Warton, Pilling, Middleton and Flookburgh. | The best stocks are said to be at Warton, Pilling, Middleton and Flookburgh. |
| This course is intended to ensure that all fishermen are better prepared North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee href="#graphic">Map of where the cocklers died | |
| A licensing scheme aimed at combating rogue gangmasters was introduced last September. | A licensing scheme aimed at combating rogue gangmasters was introduced last September. |
| A new permit system now makes it compulsory for holders to have completed a one-day safety course before going out into the bay. | A new permit system now makes it compulsory for holders to have completed a one-day safety course before going out into the bay. |
| Officials have said the new permit scheme has reduced the number of permit holders from 1,564 in 2006 to about 450 in 2007. | Officials have said the new permit scheme has reduced the number of permit holders from 1,564 in 2006 to about 450 in 2007. |
| A spokesman for the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee said: "This course is intended to ensure that all fishermen are better prepared for the dangers and risks of fishing in intertidal areas such as Morecambe Bay." | A spokesman for the North Western and North Wales Sea Fisheries Committee said: "This course is intended to ensure that all fishermen are better prepared for the dangers and risks of fishing in intertidal areas such as Morecambe Bay." |
| Beach patrols | Beach patrols |
| The project is being overseen by the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA) and aims to ensure the shellfish industry operates without exploitation of workers. | The project is being overseen by the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA) and aims to ensure the shellfish industry operates without exploitation of workers. |
| New offences of fishing without a GLA licence came into force on 1 April and GLA officers will be on duty patrolling beaches to enforce the laws. | New offences of fishing without a GLA licence came into force on 1 April and GLA officers will be on duty patrolling beaches to enforce the laws. |
| Fisherman must carry their permits and produce them on request. Failure to do so could result in a £5,000 fine. | Fisherman must carry their permits and produce them on request. Failure to do so could result in a £5,000 fine. |
| GLA chairman, Paul Whitehouse, said the permit scheme was working. | GLA chairman, Paul Whitehouse, said the permit scheme was working. |
| "So far we've issued five licenses and two have been applied for," he said. | "So far we've issued five licenses and two have been applied for," he said. |
| "We think that there are more people out there who need to be licensed. | "We think that there are more people out there who need to be licensed. |
| "But the success from the point of view of the cocklers is that we know that those gangmasters are legal, that they are following the rules as far as health and safety is concerned." | "But the success from the point of view of the cocklers is that we know that those gangmasters are legal, that they are following the rules as far as health and safety is concerned." |
| Regulations on the sizes of cockles picked have also been put in place. | Regulations on the sizes of cockles picked have also been put in place. |
| Under the Gangmasters' Licensing Act, introduced last September, gangmasters who trade without a licence will be acting illegally and face up to 10 years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine. | Under the Gangmasters' Licensing Act, introduced last September, gangmasters who trade without a licence will be acting illegally and face up to 10 years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine. |