CAMPAIGNERS calling on the Welsh Government to withdraw its proposals to open up Cardigan Bay to scallop dredging have been refused a meeting with the minister responsible for the plan.

A petition calling for plans to open sections of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation to scallop dredgers to be scrapped has been signed by over 30,000 people.

The petition was presented to Minister for Natural Resources Carl Sergeant via e-mail earlier this month, Talybont protester Mick Green of Whale and Dolphin Conservation said.

“When we presented the petition to Carl Sergeant we asked him for a meeting so we could represent the views of 27,000 people who had then signed it," Mr Green (seen right) said.

“We have recently had a response from him declining such a meeting.

“I am aware that the Wildlife Trusts has also asked to meet him and hasalso been turned down.

“This means that the signatories are denied representation. The petition is now at over 30,000 and we are continuing with it.”

The coastal waters, closed in 2009 following concerns that excessive dredging was harming the future of the fishery and having an adverse impact on other marine life, are home to bottle­nose dolphins and porpoises.

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