Pilling Cockle Fishery Update

The Pilling cockle fishery will be opening on Saturday 4th January 2025 under flexible permit conditions issued under NWIFCA Byelaw 3. The fishery will be opened one tide per day Saturday to Wednesday to the west of a line drawn due north from the Fluke Hall Lane slipway.

Permit holders should be aware that, as part of the conditions of the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) for the fishery, there needs to be measures in place to minimise disturbance to pink-footed geese which roost at the site. Therefore, there may be occasions when permitted fishers may only be able to access the cockle bed once pink-footed geese have dispersed from their roosts, or if they are still roosting, fishers may be requested to access the bed via a route that avoids their disturbance. We politely request that fishers work with NWIFCA officers to ensure disturbance is kept to a minimum so that the fishery can remain HRA compliant and stay open for the remainder of the season.