By David Siddall

Last updated 15:57, Wednesday, 26 March 2008

COCKLE dredgers are going out at night in parts of Morecambe Bay between Haverigg and Arnside in “horrendous and foolhardy” conditions.

Cockles from Morecambe Bay.

Despite the Chinese cockler tragedy, Rob Eccles a North West chief fisheries officer, has reported to his committee on a growing fear.

He states: “There is it seems a small number of people who will persist in operating dredges at night on certain tides.

“Many hours have been spent observing both by eye, night sight and radar in attempts to thwart these offenders. Sadly most reports indicate that it is local fishermen who are carrying out dredging operations.

“I am currently in discussions concerning plans to catch and prosecute these persons.”

Mr Eccles says his officers have been instructed to stay off the sands at night without support or in severe weather.

“The fishermen have however been working in conditions which can only be described as horrendous and foolhardy. Further to this some still leave it very late to come ashore with little room for recovery in an emergency.”

He adds that while some gangmasters have been co-operative, some have been “downright obstructive.”