Four men from Llanelli and Burry Port have been ordered to pay more than £36,000 after being caught illegally gathering cockles from the protected Burry Inlet.
The group drove their 4×4 vehicles more than a kilometre out into the estuary in a bid to collect cockles without permission — but their plan quickly unravelled.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) officers swooped on the scene after receiving reports of unlawful activity on June 12, 2025.
When enforcement teams arrived, they discovered Ethan Thomas, Brogan Phillips and Finley Harvey Jones, all from Llanelli, along with Korey Kathrens from Burry Port, in the middle of the estuary.
But the operation turned into a farce when two of the vehicles became stuck in the mud, leaving the group stranded and needing to be towed to safety.
(Image: Natural Resources Wales)
Officers seized a significant haul of cockles along with equipment used in the illegal gathering operation.
Despite denying the charges, all four men were found guilty following a trial at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 23, 2026.
Each man was fined £4,000, ordered to pay a £1,600 victim surcharge and £3,546 in prosecution costs — bringing the total penalty to £9,146 each.
The court heard the men will pay the fines back at a rate of £200 per month.
(Image: Natural Resources Wales)
NRW said the case highlights the serious impact illegal cockle gathering can have on the environment and legitimate fisheries.
Huwel Manley, Head of South West Wales Operations for NRW, said:
“This case highlights the seriousness of illegal cockle gathering, which can damage fragile ecosystems and undermine licensed fisheries operating within the estuary.”
He added: “We welcome the court’s decision and hope it sends a clear message that this type of crime will not be tolerated.”
The Burry Inlet is a tightly regulated shellfishery, with strict rules in place to protect both the environment and the livelihoods of licensed cockle pickers.
Natural Resources Wales say that illegal harvesting not only threatens the delicate ecosystem but also puts lives at risk, with fast-moving tides and treacherous mud making the estuary one of the most dangerous in the region.
The organisation added that this latest case serves as a stark warning to anyone tempted to cash in on the area’s natural resources without permission — you could end up seriously out of pocket.
