Cockles in the North West of England, hand raking

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Cockles in the North West of England, hand raking Cockles in the North West of England, hand raking Content last updated 18th May 2016 Stock: North West England Cockle Stock Cerastoderma edule

It is common in the intertidal and shallow subtidal, where it can occur in a variety of sediments, notably muds, sands and muddy gravels.

1 Cockles in the North West of England, hand raking Cockles in the North West of England, hand raking Content last updated 18th May 2016 Stock: North West England Cockle Stock Cerastoderma edule Management: Northwest England Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority Overview The cockle is a common burrowing bivalve occurring on all British and European coasts. It is common in the intertidal and shallow subtidal, where it can occur in a variety of sediments, notably muds, sands and muddy gravels. In broad, sheltered bays and estuaries densities can be extremely high. Cockles live within a few cm of the surface and can be washed out en-masse during storms. Lifespan is typically 2-4 years in most exploited situations, although individuals can live to 9 or 10 years. The sexes are separate and spawning normally occurs in the summer at a length of around mm and an age of around 18 months, although large (>15mm) 1 year old individuals can also spawn. Cockles can be an important food item for many intertidal wading birds, particularly over winter in the UK. Cockles are commercially fished in areas such as Morecambe Bay, the Wash, Thames Estuary and Dee Estuary (Marlin, 2012). Fisheries Definitive data on cockle landings is hard to determine due to both the varied nature of their harvesting but also the varied nature of management. The overall national landings statistics (MMO) show that 1,257 tonnes of cockles were landed by UK vessels in England However, this is a considerable under estimate. Separate figures from DEFRA indicate that in 2011 a total of 11,526 tonnes were harvested from Regulating Order Fisheries 1, 2,482 tonnes from Hybrid Order fisheries 2 and 7.3 tonnes were registered as aquaculture. In addition, there are significant coastal hand gathering fisheries for cockles for which no reliable landings information is available in one region alone this was estimated to be several thousand tonnes. It is assumed that the tonnage that does appear in the MMO landings statistics is from larger vessels (with log book reporting requirements) which fish outside of regulating orders, but this is not confirmed. It is therefore highly probable that the total landings of cockle exceeds the sum of the DEFRA figures and the MMO figures, suggesting landings somewhere well excess of 15,000t per annum. Cockles have been subject to unexplained mortalities in recent years (Elliott et al, 2012) and management bodies for the various fisheries have implemented bio security measures in an effort to reduce the risk of spread of potential pathogens (see Stock Management ). Individual management authorities should be consulted for details. 1 A Regulating Order is issued by National Government to local government bodies, usually Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) in England, Natural Resources Wales or Local Authorities in Scotland and it means that these bodies are are enabled to manage wild shellfisheries locally; these orders are restricted to particular species or groups of species. 2 A Hybrid Regulating Order issued on the same basis as the Regulating Order enables both the regulation of fishing activity and creating opportunities for shellfish farming. Location North West IFCA District There are cockle beds on the Wirral foreshore and the Dee estuary in the south and at least 7 separate cockle beds, including the Duddon Estuary, exist in the Morecambe Bay area. The NW IFCA has jurisdiction over the English half the Solway Firth. References Elliot M, et al (2012) Technical Report to Environment Agency Wales Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies University of Hull Marlin (2012) The Marine Life Information Network

2 Stock Status less risk more risk The Northwest of England cockle stock has been scored a high risk. Many of the cockle beds have been closed since 2013 due to low stock levels Management less risk more risk The management of the north west of England cockle stock has been scored a moderate risk. There are that management controls which are used to open and close cockle bed in response to stock surveys. However these assessments are not related to precautionary reference points so their efficacy is not verifiable. There is a biosecurity plan in place with the objectives to combat shellfish diseases and invasive species. Further information from Bycatch less risk more risk The bycatch risk for this fishery has been assessed as a very low risk. The hand gathering of cockles using prescribed rakes is likely to be highly selective, and a minimum landing size is enforced for the cockles. Habitat less risk more risk The seabed effects of the fishery are scored a low risk. There is some overlap with vulnerable habitats, but the most vulnerable have been closed and there is ongoing work to risk assess the other habitats affected Outlook Current risk status Outlook Reason Stock High Stable The stock is considered depleted due to an unknown cause Management Moderate Stable Management only opens cockle beds when there is sufficient stock to harvest Bycatch Very low Stable Design of hand rakes prescribed by law Habitat Low Improving Closed areas implemented on vulnerable habitats with ongoing risk assessment of less vulnerable habitats Type Current Risk Status Outlook Reason Stock Management Bycatch Habitat

3 Stock Status Details less risk more risk Time-trends Long term surveys of cockle biomass are not available, but currently biomass is considered low. Stock structure and recruitment The stock status in relation to reference points is unknown, but the stock is generally dependent on a limited number of year classes (usually a single year class), and it is unknown what factors affect recruitment Data gaps and research priorities Improved information on stock dynamics and recruitment mechanisms would be valuable

4 Management Details less risk more risk TAC Information Catch 2015 (t) Advised Catch 2016 (t) Agreed TAC 2016 (t) Advised Catch 2017 (t) Stock harvesting strategy Stocks are monitored by the North West Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority and cockle beds are opened and closed on the basis of this monitoring. Surveillance and enforcement Currently (March 2016) cockles are only harvested using hand rakes of a specified design and within most of the North West IFCA area, dredging is not permitted. Although hand raking of cockles is potentially difficult to regulate, the regulations governing the opening of the beds are tight, relating to requirements to hold permits and the tides which may be fished. References North west IFCA byelaws

5 Bycatch Details less risk more risk Targeting and behaviour Hand held rakes are used to uncover the cockles within 5cm of the sediment. Licence holders are only permitted to gather cockles. The byelaw restricts catches of cockles to those which cannot pass through a 20 mm square gauge as a measure to ensure an MLS. Evidence of bycatch risk Licence conditions only permit the gathering of cockles by hand. The main species living on cockle beds are the cockles themselves, with little interaction with other species. Mitigation measures The design of the rake is prescribed as are the vehicles used. Interactions with species of conservation importance are the subject of risk assessments within the European Marine Sites. References Northwest IFCA

6 Habitat Details less risk more risk Gear effects, targeting and behaviour Access is gained via all-terrain vehicles or on foot. The core areas targeted by the hand gatherers are areas of highly dynamic sandbanks in the intertidal zone. These areas are disturbed by swift tidal currents and wave action on a daily basis. Habitat risks There are a number of European Marine Sites (EMS) that is a Special Area of Conservation or Special Protection Areas for birds under the EU Habitats (European Council directive 92/43) and Birds (European Council directive 147/43) directives respectively within the area of this fishery. The features for which favourable conservation status is required include habitats such as intertidal mud and sand where cockle hand raking is carried out although these areas are likely to be less vulnerable than the surrounding sea grass beds which are considered vulnerable. Mitigation measures Seagrass (found in north Morecambe Bay) is considered vulnerable to hand gathering fisheries and has been protected by closure of certain areas. There is a process in progress by the North West IFCA, to assess the risks to other habitats such as sandbanks and intertidal mud which could result in further management measures where required. All content 2017 Seafish. Origin Way, Europarc, Grimsby, DN37 9TZ. This page created on 18th March 2017 at 03:56am.

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