ELECTROFISHING for razor clams off the shore of the Three Towns is ‘raping the sea’ claims a concerned local resident.

Tommy Irvine from Saltcoats believes that vessels in the vicinity are part of the Scottish Government’s scientific trial into electrofishing which stuns the razor clams.

However, the government could not confirm whether or not the fishing boats off the North Ayrshire coast were among the vessels participating in the trial.

Tommy said: “It stuns the fish. It’s supposed to catch the adult ones and leave the small ones.

“But if the current stuns the adults and teenagers, surely it’s going to kill the wee ones that they’re supposed to be leaving?

“To me I think they’re raping the sea. They’re over-fishing.

“If you go down to the beach [South Beach] the place is covered in dead shells. There’s millions of them. I’m 73-years-old and I’ve never seen that.”

Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing said: “These scientific trials will help us understand the potential economic impact of the industry, will provide useful evidence on how this fishery can be managed effectively and sustainably and contribute to Scotland’s reputation for quality seafood.

“We believe there is significant potential for economic benefit to coastal communities from an appropriately managed electro-fishery for razor clams.

“Given the growth in demand for this product, particularly in the Far East, it is vital that its harvesting is regulated properly and that the effects on stocks are monitored.

“We have been working in close partnership with fishermen and other public bodies, including the Health and Safety Executive, to ensure that the trial is undertaken safely.”