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Fisherman Tom Roberts, pictured at the Fisherman's Dock at Poole Harbour, Dorset. Tom Russell, 70, has fished in Poole Harbour since he was 17, said fishermen are concerned how the oil leak will affect their livelihoods.Mr Russell is chairman of Poole and District Fishermen's Association and a harbour commissioner, as well as operating two commercial fishing boats himself.

Shell fishermen have warned of a 'catastrophe' for their livelihoods after they were forced to lower their nets in the wake of the Poole Harbour oil leak.

Officials have told fishermen not to harvest clams, mussels and oysters from the seabeds of the world's second biggest natural harbour for the foreseeable future.

They have given no timeframe as to when the threat of poison and contamination from the huge leak to crustacean fish in the harbour is likely to ease.

The trade is worth over £1m a year to the coastal community and fishermen have warned the fall out from the leak has the potential to be a 'total and utter disaster' for them.