FEARS are growing that a proposal to build a new nuclear power station around the South East Essex area of Britain could pose a threat to Britain's oldest fishery - the Colchester oyster.
The area has been famous for its oysters since Roman times when Colchester became the first capital of Britain. They are considered a sought after delicacy as well as being a major export commodity to many countries in northern Europe.
Now Bernard Jenkin, the Conservative MP for North Essex is asking the government for more information on its plans. Ironically, there has been a nuclear power station in the area for almost 50 years - at nearby Bradwell, but it has been mothballed. The plan is to build a new generation of power plants on existing nuclear sites and Bradwell is one of those.
The MP said he had been approached by local fishermen who were worried that a new power plant could alter the marine ecology of the area. Such installations need huge amounts of water for cooling purposes.
Local fishermen say that since the existing power station had been closed down, the fishing waters had become cleaner and free of chlorine and catches had shown a marked improvement.
The coastline around that part of Essex is still an important specialist fishing area with the island of Mersea the base for most of the oyster fishing activities. Colchester oysters are being assessed for European designated regional status alongside the likes of Parma ham and Champagne.
Should fisheries be closed during breeding time to allow stocks to reach more sustainable levels?
- 19 - 20 May, 2010
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