Cockling laws must be enforced at Moreton Shore, says MP

Sep 10 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Hoylake and West Kirby News

THE government has urged the Sea Fisheries Committee to “monitor any activity” on Moreton Shore this week after the News discovered illegal cockling.

It was highlighted last week that laws set in place to protect cockle beds on the Wirral shore were flouted throughout summer and thousands of shellfish were suspected to have been removed.

Following this, Wallasey MP Angela Eagle contacted the Sea Fisheries Committee and asked them to “advise” her on regular checks in place to ensure the sustainability of these cockle beds.

Ms Eagle said: “I am aware how important it is to ensure the sustainability of the industry and to protect the environmental infrastructure by limiting the numbers of cockle pickers.

“If there are laws in place to do this, then they should be enforced.”

Fisherman Brian Griffiths, of Wallasey, said: “There were up to 50 people, at one time, picking the beds dry after 30-foot tides all throughout summer, which was supposed to be a closed season - so any laws we have don’t seem to be being regulated.

“There has been some good feedback since the fishing community heard the News had highlighted the problem.

“But we won’t know whether this will make any difference until after the next big tide.”

Sea Fisheries chief executive Dr Stephen Atkins said: “There is always a certain amount of shellfish poaching and illegal sale but levels at Moreton are not serious.

“I would reassure locals that the beds will survive and recover when cockles and razorfish reproduce.

“There have been a few years of very poor cockle breeding success in the eastern Irish Sea and this has led to reduced stocks which are not caused by fishing.

“At present, I think most of what fishers at Moreton are taking are small clams.

“We will, however, be looking into this.”