Concerns about the escalating costs of clearing sand from the harbour mouth in Saundersfoot topped the agenda at a special meeting this week between Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales and representatives of the Saundersfoot Harbour Commission.
The Plaid Cymru shadow minister for fisheries in the National Assembly, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM, was joined by the party's prospective Assembly candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Llyr Hughes Griffiths, and Pembrokeshire County Councillor Carol Cavill, for a meeting with the chairman of the Harbour Commission, Mr. Richard Thomas, Mr. Tony Davies and community councillors Bill Cleevely and Pam Talbot, to hear of the commission's work and future plans for the harbour.
After the meeting, Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM said: "The increasing burden of having to clear sand from the harbour mouth is a cause for concern. In the past, clearing started in May, but more recently, due to increased easterly winds caused by global warming, the work has to start much earlier and the sand has to be cleared more often. Not doing so would lead to the harbour being lost in just three or four years.
"The financial implications of this increased workload is a major worry. We therefore welcome the news that a feasibility study is to be carried out to look at how this situation can be addressed and we will be pressing for the work to be concluded as soon as possible."
There was also a discussion about the new system of appointing Harbour Commissioners and concerns were expressed that a small harbour like Saundersfoot would in future be subject to the same rules as larger ones such as Milford Haven and Liverpool.
Community councillors also raised concerns about the plans to dredge sand banks off Worm's Head and its potential effect on the South Pembrokeshire coastline.
Local prospective Assembly candidate Llyr Hughes Griffiths said: "Plaid Cymru - The Party of Wales in South Pembrokeshire is backing town and community councils such as Saundersfoot, Tenby and Penally in opposing the dredging plans.
"Nobody really knows what the effects of the proposed dredging will be. It's our duty to protect Pembrokeshire's coastal environment. Any damage caused by dredging would undermine the fishing industry and the local tourist economy."