Cockle Fishing Season Update

During 2025/26, NWIFCA trialled an earlier opening and closing of the cockle fishing season from 1st July to 28th February.

A public consultation was subsequently conducted to gather stakeholders’ views on whether this earlier opening and closing period should be adopted on a permanent basis. The findings of the consultation were presented to Authority members at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Technical, Science and Byelaw Sub-Committee (TSB) held on 19th March.

Following consideration of the consultation results and officers’ recommendations, members resolved to retain the existing cockle fishing season dates of 1st September to 30th April, as set out in Byelaw 3.