Written question WQ87412

In the spring my officials will conduct a stock assessment survey of the Three Rivers Estuary to determine the abundance of cockle. If there is sufficient stock for a fishery, they will calculate catch limits for 2023. The limits will inform a Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), which will be agreed with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and ensure sufficient cockle will remain for over-wintering wading birds and as cockle brood stock.

The survey results will also inform which beds will be opened and when. Once the fishery is open, officials will monitor activity on the cockle beds, catch returns provided by gatherers and other information such as intelligence. This will be used to vary which beds are open/closed and on which days gathering can take place, to regulate activity and protect the stock. Marine Enforcement Officers will patrol the area to ensure compliance with permit conditions and take action to prevent any illegal gathering. If, at any stage, there are concerns overfishing is threatening cockle stocks in the estuary, the fishery will be closed.

Following a strong positive response to the Welsh Government’s consultation on new Cockle Fishery Management Measures in 2022, I have instructed officials to draft a new All Wales Cockle Fishery Management Order. The new Order will improve the regulation of all public cockle fisheries in Wales to ensure the sustainability of our cockle stocks and protect the wider environment for future generations.