Rogue gatherers 'destroying very habitat ormers rely on'
ROGUE gatherers will destroy the very habitat that ormers need to survive by failing to follow key elements of the dedicated code of practice, they have been warned.
La Societe Guernesiaise conservation officer Jamie Hooper said there were still gatherers who did not follow the advice and guidelines laid down for ormering tides, which this year begin on Monday.
He said this included those who failed to return rocks and boulders to their original position, aimed at reducing the degradation of the habitat.
'They would argue these would move in a storm, and by returning stones and boulders you can never get them into the same position or you can crush things.
'The truth is, it is just slowing them down in the mayhem of gathering ormers.
'They are destroying the very habitat that ormers rely on.'
Other key elements of the code of practice – which was produced by the Sea Fisheries Section and Environment a couple of years ago – includes returning undersized ormers to their original positions, treading carefully while on the seashore, parking in designated car parks only, putting litter in bins and being cautious of incoming tides.
Monday's low tide is at 1pm and drops to 1.8m; Tuesday, 1.38pm, 1.7m; and Wednesday, 2.13pm, 1.7m.
