Harbourmasters in Tenby are investigating an incident where the crew of a fishing boat allegedly threw their litter overboard into the sea after returning to the shore.

A report and photographs highlighting the incident which is alleged to have occurred on the North Beach on Monday was posted on social media by a person who witnessed what happened, stating that they were enjoying a ‘lovey afternoon’ in Tenby with their young daughter when they spotted a Land Rover pull up alongside the incoming tide, waiting for a fishing boat to unload.

“The boat then unloaded the day’s catch into the back of the Land Rover, and my eyes couldn’t believe what the so-called fishermen did with their rubbish that they had accumulated throughout their day - they just chucked it overboard!” stated the person who witnessed the incident in their Facebook post, adding that they were ‘disgusted’.

“I went to the seabed as did another disgruntled beach visitor, waded out into the incoming tide to retrieve said rubbish that they had left. I would have thought fishermen respected the seas, especially the ones they worked in.

“It’s nearly summer and these beaches should be pristine, but they never will be if the people that fish our sea treat them with such disrespect,” they added.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Harbourmaster’s Office is aware of the incident which it takes very seriously. The boat owner will be spoken to as part of the investigation which is ongoing.”

It is estimated that around three million pieces of plastic enter the sea every day worldwide, with plastics having a catastrophic effect on the livelihood of marine creatures - with groups such as ‘Plastic Free Tenby’ and the ‘Surfers Against Sewage’ recently highlighting the matter and encouraging the community to come forward with suggestions to unite the resort against the growing plastic pollution crisis.

A great number of volunteers recently showed their support for the Plastic Free Coastlines initiative by joining in with a huge clean-up of Tenby’s beaches, with more organsied events to follow over the summer.

The ‘Plastic Free Tenby’ group recently announced that they are ready to complete their application to receive accreditation as a ‘Plastic-Free Town’.