Post by Hoppy on Jun 8, 2007 20:39:40 GMT -1
Environment Agency Wales has decided that the Dee Estuary cockle beds will not be opened for harvesting this year following the results of a comprehensive study on all five cockle beds.
The study, carried out in April, found that the number of cockles large enough to be harvested were very low on all of the beds. To maintain a healthy population, there needs to be a sufficient amount of mature cockles for harvesting and enough left over to breed.
The decision was made after a meeting of the Agency's Dee Estuary Sea Fisheries Liaison Group last night (Thursday). The Group includes representatives from the sea fishermen and conservation bodies and they were disappointed to hear that the number of larger cockles were so low.
However, the study did show that there is a good number of smaller cockles in the beds. These will hopefully survive and grow to be harvested in the future. The survival and growth of these small cockles will be closely monitored and the results reported back in future meetings.
The cockles are also an important source of food for the wildfowl and wading birds over the winter. Keeping the beds closed will make sure there is enough food for the birds and give the smaller cockles a chance to grow and be harvested next season.
Speaking after the meeting, Alan Winstone, the Agency's Environment Manager for the Dee Estuary said:
'It is clear that numbers of mature cockles which can be harvested have remained low throughout the estuary since harvesting last took place in 2005. However, the numbers of smaller cockles is encouraging. This is good for the local wildlife and promises good future prospects for the fishery.
"Even with low numbers, we remain concerned that with the high price paid for cockles, some people may be tempted to fish illegally. To combat this, we have increased our patrols on the estuary and are working closely with the police and other agencies to protect this valuable natural resource.
"We are also moving forward with our application for a regulating order that will enable us to limit the number of cockle fishermen on the estuary to fifty instead of the free-for-all at present. A public inquiry is scheduled for 5th June in Chester.
"We are hopeful that this will be in place for 2008 to enable us to have a sustainable, safe fishery which provides a regular income to fishermen, protects other wildlife and reduces the impact on the local environment."
The study, carried out in April, found that the number of cockles large enough to be harvested were very low on all of the beds. To maintain a healthy population, there needs to be a sufficient amount of mature cockles for harvesting and enough left over to breed.
The decision was made after a meeting of the Agency's Dee Estuary Sea Fisheries Liaison Group last night (Thursday). The Group includes representatives from the sea fishermen and conservation bodies and they were disappointed to hear that the number of larger cockles were so low.
However, the study did show that there is a good number of smaller cockles in the beds. These will hopefully survive and grow to be harvested in the future. The survival and growth of these small cockles will be closely monitored and the results reported back in future meetings.
The cockles are also an important source of food for the wildfowl and wading birds over the winter. Keeping the beds closed will make sure there is enough food for the birds and give the smaller cockles a chance to grow and be harvested next season.
Speaking after the meeting, Alan Winstone, the Agency's Environment Manager for the Dee Estuary said:
'It is clear that numbers of mature cockles which can be harvested have remained low throughout the estuary since harvesting last took place in 2005. However, the numbers of smaller cockles is encouraging. This is good for the local wildlife and promises good future prospects for the fishery.
"Even with low numbers, we remain concerned that with the high price paid for cockles, some people may be tempted to fish illegally. To combat this, we have increased our patrols on the estuary and are working closely with the police and other agencies to protect this valuable natural resource.
"We are also moving forward with our application for a regulating order that will enable us to limit the number of cockle fishermen on the estuary to fifty instead of the free-for-all at present. A public inquiry is scheduled for 5th June in Chester.
"We are hopeful that this will be in place for 2008 to enable us to have a sustainable, safe fishery which provides a regular income to fishermen, protects other wildlife and reduces the impact on the local environment."