Prawn concern (From Barry And District News)

Prawn concern

A BARRY man concerned about the prawn population contacted the News after finding eggs attached to a batch he had bought at a local supermarket.

The man, who purchased the shell-on-prawns at Morrisons, believes that, in order to preserve their numbers, prawns with eggs attached should not be caught. He also believes that supermarkets should not purchase prawns in this condition.

But a spokesman for Morrisons said: "Morrisons' suppliers endeavour to purchase prawns which are roe (egg) free.

"However, this is not always possible, as prawns will carry roe on their bodies for at least ten months out of the year. To reassure our customers, roe is naturally occurring, is not harmful in any way and can only be found on shell-on-prawns to which there is just one line available at Morrisons."

A representative of South Wales Sea Fishery Committee, Phil Coates, added: "Most species of shellfish carry eggs at some stage of development throughout most of the year.

"Most females are potential breeders. Therefore all fishing at any time removes broodstock and eggs.

"Fishery management regulations tend to account for this through minimum landing size, quotas, and/or effort control (eg licensing and closed areas or seasons)."

Mr Coates continued: "Unlike finfish, stocks of shellfish are generally OK, although some are under more pressure than others.