Centrica wind farm cable blamed for Skegness cockle shortage

Mr Bagley said the authorities had put a 1,500 tonne limit on cockle harvests in 2011

Fishermen have blamed the installation of a wind farm cable on the Lincolnshire coast for killing hundreds of tonnes of cockles.

The claim follows warnings that many fishermen are already struggling because of quotas imposed on them.

Power company Centrica, which installed the cable at Skegness wind farm, said the fishermen had received £230,000 in compensation.

The company also said only 25 tonnes of adult cockles were killed.

Centrica plans to lay a second cable at the site in May.

Ken Bagley, of the Boston Fisherman's Association, said he believed between 800 and 1,200 tonnes of cockles had already been destroyed.

He said the installation of a second cable would mean another shortage for the industry.

Regarding the quotas, Duncan Vaughan from the Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority said they were an important part of managing stocks.